Working environment factors
How does Anhydrous Ammonia affect workers’ health?
Feb
Ammonia (NH3) is an important chemical in many industries, but it also poses a significant risk to the health of workers. When exposed in the work environment, NH3 gas can cause respiratory irritation, skin damage, and long-term health effects. So how can we ensure safety? Let’s find out!
1. What is Ammonia (anhydrous)?
Anhydrous ammonia, with the chemical formula NH₃, is an inorganic compound consisting of one nitrogen (N) atom covalently bonded to three hydrogen (H) atoms. It is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor that is easily recognizable even at low concentrations. With its trigonal pyramidal structure, NH₃ is highly polar due to the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, making it readily soluble in water to form a mildly alkaline solution, known as an ammonia solution.
In nature, NH₃ can exist as a gas in the atmosphere, primarily from the decomposition of nitrogen-containing compounds. In industry, NH₃ is mainly synthesized by the Haber-Bosch process, in which nitrogen from the air and hydrogen from natural gas or water are combined under high pressure and temperature to produce NH₃. This compound plays a crucial role in many industries, especially in the production of fertilizers, chemicals, cleaning agents, and as a refrigerant in industrial air conditioning systems.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Amoiac (anhydrous) | Ammonia (anhydrous) | 28141000 | 7664-41-7 | NH3 |
See more services: Chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
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2. Where does Ammonia (anhydrous) originate from in the production process?
In industrial production, anhydrous NH₃ can be generated from various sources. One of the main sources is chemical synthesis, where nitrogen (N₂) and hydrogen (H₂) gases react with each other under high pressure and temperature with a catalyst to produce NH₃. This is the primary method used in the fertilizer and chemical manufacturing industries.
Additionally, NH₃ can also be released during storage and transportation, especially when leaks occur from tanks, pipelines, or high-pressure valves. Furthermore, in chemical, plastics, textile, and food processing plants, NH₃ is used as a refrigerant, and if the refrigeration system leaks, NH₃ gas will diffuse into the work environment.
In the coal mining and oil and gas industries, NH₃ can be generated as a byproduct from the processing of natural gas or the distillation of crude oil. Some biological processes such as fermentation or the decomposition of organic matter in food processing plants and wastewater treatment facilities can also produce NH₃ gas, affecting the work environment if not well controlled.
3. Industries that use Ammonia (anhydrous) in production
In the fertilizer manufacturing industry, anhydrous NH₃ is the main raw material for synthesizing nitrogenous fertilizers such as urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium phosphate. This process plays a crucial role in agriculture, helping to supply essential nutrients to crops, increasing yield and the quality of agricultural products.
In the chemical industry, NH₃ is used to produce many other chemical compounds such as nitric acid, hydrazine, and ammonium salts. These products are important raw materials in many fields, from the production of explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals to the manufacturing of plastics and synthetic fibers.
In the food processing sector, NH₃ is used as a refrigerant in food preservation systems, especially in cold storages, meat, seafood, and dairy processing plants. Due to its high cooling efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to some other refrigerants, NH₃ is commonly used in the food industry.
In the textile industry, NH₃ is used in the fabric finishing process to increase durability, resist wrinkling, and improve the quality of the fibers. Treating fabric with NH₃ helps create products that are more durable and softer, meeting the demands of the fashion and high-end textile manufacturing industries.
In the coal mining and oil and gas sectors, NH₃ can be used to control the exhaust gas treatment process, minimizing the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the environment. This is an important solution in reducing the negative impact of heavy industry on air quality and the surrounding environment.
4. How does Ammonia (anhydrous) affect workers?
Anhydrous Ammonia gas can cause serious health effects for workers when exposed in the workplace. At low concentrations, NH₃ is a strong irritant to the respiratory system, causing a stinging sensation in the eyes, tearing, sore throat, and a dry cough. With long-term exposure, workers may experience problems such as bronchitis, rhinitis, or reduced respiratory function.
When the concentration of NH₃ in the air increases, the gas can cause severe chemical burns on the skin and mucous membranes. Direct contact with liquid or concentrated gaseous NH₃ can damage the eyes, leading to conjunctivitis or even blindness. In addition, NH₃ is soluble in water and forms a strong alkaline solution, which can cause skin damage, burns, and ulcers if not treated promptly.
Inhaling NH₃ at high concentrations can lead to bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, and in severe cases, can cause acute respiratory failure. Workers in environments with high concentrations of NH₃ without proper protective equipment are at risk of suffocation or permanent lung damage.
In addition to the immediate effects, long-term exposure to NH₃ can increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and affect the nervous system. Those who are frequently exposed may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, and memory impairment. These effects can reduce labor productivity and affect the quality of life of workers over the long term.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Ammonia (anhydrous) for human exposure
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the permissible exposure limit for NH₃ in the air is 25 ppm for an 8-hour exposure time and 35 ppm for a shorter exposure time, up to a maximum of 15 minutes. In Vietnam, the regulations on the permissible concentration of NH₃ in the work environment may differ and should be referenced from the relevant authorities or current national standards. Adherence to these limits is necessary to protect the health of workers, preventing negative effects such as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and more serious respiratory problems upon exposure to high concentrations of NH₃.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Ammonia (anhydrous). 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 Ammonia (anhydrous) on worker health
Minimizing the health effects of NH₃ on workers requires strict control measures in the work environment. One of the most important solutions is to establish an effective ventilation system, which helps reduce the concentration of NH₃ in the air and prevents the accumulation of toxic gas in enclosed spaces. This system needs to be regularly maintained to ensure continuous operation and optimal performance.
In addition, providing full personal protective equipment for workers is a necessary requirement. Specialized gas-filtering masks, safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and protective clothing help to minimize the risk of direct contact with NH₃. Workers in high-risk environments need to be trained on how to use this equipment correctly to ensure safety.
Controlling NH₃ leaks is a crucial measure to reduce risks for workers. Piping systems, storage tanks, and equipment using NH₃ need to be regularly inspected and maintained to detect and fix leaks promptly. Installing NH₃ detection sensors helps provide early warnings when the gas concentration exceeds safe levels, allowing for a rapid response.
Training and raising awareness among workers about the risks of exposure to NH₃ is also a key factor in protecting their health. Workers should be instructed on the signs of NH₃ poisoning, how to administer first aid when affected, and emergency response procedures. Organizing regular incident response drills helps ensure that all employees have the necessary skills to deal with dangerous situations involving NH₃ during their work.
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.
