Working environment factors
How does Acetonitrile affect workers’ health?
Feb
Acetonitrile (C2H3N) is a common chemical in manufacturing plants, but few know that it can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will help you better understand the risks and protective measures when working with acetonitrile.
1. What is Acetonitrile?
Acetonitrile, with the chemical formula C2H3N, is an organic compound belonging to the nitrile group. It is formed from a methyl group (-CH3) attached to a cyano group (-CN), creating the structure CH3-CN. It is a colorless, volatile solvent with a characteristic mild odor. Acetonitrile is a liquid that is readily soluble in water and many other organic solvents, so it is often used in chemical and industrial processes.
In industry, acetonitrile is mainly used as a solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and in analytical chemistry applications such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Acetonitrile is also an important raw material in the production of plastics, dyes, and electronic products. In addition, it is also used in the process of extracting organic compounds and for analysis in laboratories.
However, despite its many useful applications, acetonitrile also poses a potential health risk if not used correctly. Therefore, a clear understanding of the nature and chemical properties of acetonitrile is very important in ensuring occupational safety when in contact with this substance.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Axetonitril | Acetonitrile | 29269000 | 75-05-8 | C2H3N |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
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2. Where does Acetonitrile originate from in the production process?
During production, acetonitrile primarily arises from chemical reactions using ammonia and acetic acid. This reaction creates acetonitrile as a byproduct when ammonia reacts with organic compounds, especially acetic acid or its derivatives. This production process is widely applied in industry, especially in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and in food technology.
In addition, acetonitrile can also appear in petroleum refining processes, where it is created as a byproduct in the decomposition reactions of organic compounds found in oil. In chemical manufacturing plants, acetonitrile can arise from the use of nitrile-containing solvents or in the synthesis of complex organic compounds.
Depending on the production technology and raw materials, acetonitrile can be prepared directly or formed from side reactions in various production processes.
3. Industries that use Acetonitrile in production
Acetonitrile is widely used in many different manufacturing industries, especially in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In the chemical industry, acetonitrile serves as an important solvent in the synthesis and extraction of organic compounds. It is used in the production of plastics, rubber, and other chemical compounds, as well as in chemical refining and analysis processes.
The pharmaceutical industry is also a common user of acetonitrile. In drug manufacturing, acetonitrile is used as a solvent in drug synthesis processes, especially in creating complex pharmacological compounds. It is also applied in pharmaceutical analysis techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to separate and analyze the components of drugs.
Furthermore, acetonitrile is also used in the electronics industry, especially in the production of semiconductor components. Acetonitrile has the ability to dissolve many organic substances well, so it is used to clean equipment and components during production. Besides that, the food industry also has applications for acetonitrile in the extraction and analysis of compounds found in food.
4. How does Acetonitrile affect workers?
When exposed to acetonitrile, workers can experience many negative health effects. This substance can easily enter the body through the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes, causing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. If a large amount of acetonitrile is inhaled from the air, it can lead to serious problems such as suffocation, respiratory system irritation, or even respiratory failure in cases of prolonged or high-concentration exposure.
In addition, acetonitrile can also have adverse effects on the nervous system. Workers with long-term exposure to this chemical may experience neurological problems, including loss of concentration, psychological disorders, and disorientation. Some studies indicate that continuous exposure to acetonitrile can cause damage to the liver and kidneys, reducing the function of these organs over time.
Direct skin contact with acetonitrile can cause irritation, redness, itching, or rash. If exposure is prolonged or not properly protected, this substance can enter the body and cause long-term health effects. Therefore, workers in industries using acetonitrile must strictly adhere to health protection measures to minimize the risk of exposure and protect personal safety.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Acetonitrile for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of acetonitrile for human exposure is regulated by international health and occupational safety agencies to protect the health of workers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and national standards such as OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the maximum concentration level of acetonitrile in the workplace air is 40 ppm (parts per million), equivalent to 70 mg/m³ in the work environment.
At this concentration, acetonitrile is considered safe for workers during a normal work period, which is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. However, exposure levels exceeding this limit can cause serious health risks, so it is necessary to have measures to control the concentration of acetonitrile in the air and protect workers from the risk of poisoning.
On a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Acetonitrile. Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Acetonitrile on worker health
To minimize the effects of acetonitrile on worker health, a series of preventive and control measures must be applied throughout the work process. First, ensuring adequate ventilation in the workspace is very important. The ventilation system must be designed to maintain the concentration of acetonitrile in the air at a low level, not exceeding the permissible safety limit. If necessary, exhaust devices or air filtration systems can be used to remove the hazardous substance from the workspace.
Besides that, providing adequate personal protective equipment is an indispensable measure. Workers should be provided with gloves, specialized respirators, safety glasses, and protective clothing to minimize the risk of direct contact with acetonitrile. Especially in environments with high concentrations of acetonitrile, the use of respiratory protection, such as a respirator, is essential to avoid inhaling chemical vapors.
In addition, training and educating workers about the potential risks of working with acetonitrile is important to raise awareness and minimize risk. Employees need to understand how to use protective equipment, as well as measures to take in case of an exposure incident. Establishing safe work procedures and regularly inspecting and maintaining equipment also contribute significantly to reducing the risk of health problems related to acetonitrile.
Finally, regular health monitoring for workers is necessary to detect early signs of health damage from exposure to acetonitrile. This helps with timely intervention and protects workers from long-term adverse effects.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about the risks and safety measures when working with this type of chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environmental monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, and from there, adjusting to reduce the level of harm to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Workplace Environmental Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Workplace Environmental Monitoring Center is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports customers in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environmental issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is concerned with customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in technology, engineering, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of workplace environmental monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
- We provide customers with the best and most suitable things possible.
- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- Coming to the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service with experts in the field of monitoring. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Workplace Environmental Monitoring
To help businesses carry out workplace environmental monitoring in a professional and effective manner, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for workplace environmental monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. You can be completely confident in the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to provide consultation and answer any questions about monitoring services in the quickest and most professional manner.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation, you can easily choose the service packages that suit your needs. We are committed to bringing you the highest satisfaction with our professional service quality.
