Working environment factors
How does Acrylonitrile affect workers’ health?
Feb
Acrylonitrile (C3H3N) is a common chemical in industry, but with long-term exposure, it can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will explore the health impacts of working in a production environment that uses acrylonitrile and the necessary preventive measures.
1. What is Acrylonitrile?
Acrylonitrile (C3H3N) is an important organic compound in the chemical industry. With the chemical formula C3H3N, acrylonitrile consists of three carbon (C) atoms, three hydrogen (H) atoms, and one nitrogen (N) atom. It exists as a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. Acrylonitrile is primarily produced through the oxidation of propylene or acetonitrile, and it plays a crucial role in many industries, especially in the production of plastics, acrylic fibers, and other chemical products.
Acrylonitrile has the ability to react with other compounds to create polymers and copolymers, hence it is widely used in the plastics and synthetic fiber industries. Products such as acrylic fibers, ABS plastics, or heat-resistant materials often involve acrylonitrile in their synthesis process. However, despite being an important compound in industry, acrylonitrile is also known to be toxic to human health upon long-term exposure.
Because it can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, acrylonitrile needs to be used and handled carefully in industrial environments. It is also classified as a substance that may cause cancer in humans if exposed to high concentrations over a long period. Therefore, a clear understanding of the characteristics and properties of acrylonitrile is very important, especially for workers in factories that use this chemical.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Acrylo nitril | Acrylonitrile | 29261000 | 107-13-1 | C3H3N |
See more services: Chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
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2. Where does Acrylonitrile originate from in the production process?
During the production process, the source of acrylonitrile mainly comes from chemical reactions that take place in plants producing plastics and synthetic fibers. One of the most common methods for producing acrylonitrile is the oxidation of propylene. In this process, propylene (C3H6) is oxidized by oxygen in the air in the presence of a catalyst, creating acrylonitrile along with by-products such as acrolein and formaldehyde.
In addition, another source of acrylonitrile is from the synthesis of acetonitrile. Acetonitrile (CH3CN) can be converted into acrylonitrile through a series of chemical reactions under high-temperature conditions and in the presence of a suitable catalyst. Both of these methods produce acrylonitrile as a primary product, and during production, acrylonitrile gas will be generated from the reaction vessels and distillation systems, where the gas is collected and then processed to create the final product.
Throughout this production process, acrylonitrile can be generated as a gas or vapor, especially in high-temperature areas where chemical reactions are vigorous. Areas such as reaction vessels, raw material storage tanks, and distillation equipment are where acrylonitrile is concentrated, and these are also the places with a high risk of releasing the chemical into the air if there are no adequate control and ventilation measures.
3. Industries that use Acrylonitrile in production
Acrylonitrile is an important raw material in many industries, especially in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and synthetic rubber. In the plastics industry, acrylonitrile is used to produce plastics such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile), which are widely used in the manufacturing of electronic components, home appliances, automobiles, toys, and other industries.
In the synthetic fiber industry, acrylonitrile is the main raw material for producing acrylic fiber, which is used in the textile industry to create products such as clothing, blankets, carpets, and other textile products. In addition, acrylonitrile is also used in the production of synthetic rubber, especially NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), which is used in the manufacturing of products such as oil hoses, gaskets, and other oil-resistant parts.
Besides, acrylonitrile is also used in the production of other chemicals such as acrylamide, used in water treatment and paper production, and adiponitrile, which is a raw material for producing nylon.
4. How does Acrylonitrile affect workers?
Acrylonitrile is a toxic organic compound that can cause serious health effects for workers upon exposure in the workplace. Exposure to acrylonitrile can occur through three main routes: inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion.
When acrylonitrile is inhaled, workers may experience symptoms such as irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. In cases of prolonged or high-concentration exposure, it can cause severe lung damage, even death.
Skin contact with acrylonitrile can cause skin irritation, redness, and discomfort. If contact is prolonged, it can lead to blistering and skin ulceration.
In addition, ingesting acrylonitrile can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, indigestion, and bloody diarrhea. In animal studies, ingestion of this substance led to damage to the digestive tract.
Notably, acrylonitrile is known to be a substance that may cause cancer in humans if exposed to high concentrations over a long period.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Acrylonitrile for human exposure
Acrylonitrile is a toxic chemical compound, and exposure to it needs to be strictly controlled to ensure worker safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum permissible concentration of acrylonitrile in the air of 0.3 mg/m³ (equivalent to 0.1 ppm) over an 8-hour workday. However, specific regulations may vary by country and organization.
In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has stipulated a permissible exposure limit for acrylonitrile for workers in the workplace. Accordingly, the maximum permissible concentration of acrylonitrile in the air is 0.3 mg/m³ (equivalent to 0.1 ppm) over an 8-hour workday. However, specific regulations may differ depending on the country and organization.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Acrylonitrile. 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 impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Acrylonitrile on worker health
To minimize the health effects of acrylonitrile on workers, applying preventive and control measures is very important. First of all, it is necessary to design and improve production technology processes to minimize the generation and release of acrylonitrile into the work environment. This can be achieved through the use of enclosed equipment, effective ventilation systems, and source control measures.
In addition, providing full personal protective equipment for workers is necessary. Workers should be supplied with chemical-resistant respirators, gloves, safety glasses, and appropriate protective clothing to limit direct contact with acrylonitrile. The use of this equipment helps protect vulnerable body parts such as the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Furthermore, organizing training and education for workers about the risks associated with acrylonitrile and safety measures is very important. Workers need to be equipped with knowledge on how to identify risks, use protective equipment correctly, and comply with occupational safety regulations.
Finally, conducting periodic checks and monitoring of acrylonitrile concentration in the workplace air is necessary. This helps to ensure that the acrylonitrile concentration is always at a permissible safe level, thereby protecting the health of workers.
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 compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, and then adjust to reduce the hazard level to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s workplace environment monitoring center is a professional unit specializing in the supervision and measurement of workplace environmental quality 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 ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, processing, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all of their needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investments in technology, techniques, and personnel, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of workplace environment 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 our customers with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With Nam Viet’s Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. At the same time, you will get the best offers on costs.
8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for workplace environment 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. Customers can be completely assured of 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 always ready to provide consultation and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
