Working environment factors
How does Anhydrous ammonia affect workers’ health?
Dec
Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a common chemical in many industries, but it poses a risk of serious effects on the health of workers. This article will analyze the impacts of NH3, from acute symptoms to long-term effects, and provide effective solutions for health and safety protection.
1. What is Anhydrous ammonia?
Anhydrous ammonia, with the chemical formula NH3, is an inorganic compound in the form of a colorless gas with a characteristic and very strong pungent odor. It is a compound composed of one nitrogen (N) atom bonded to three hydrogen (H) atoms, forming an NH3 molecule with a pyramidal structure.
Anhydrous ammonia is called “anhydrous gas” because it contains no water in its composition. This substance is highly soluble in water, forming an ammonia solution. With its unique chemical properties, NH3 is widely used in industries such as fertilizer and chemical production, refrigeration, and many other applications.
However, due to its highly corrosive nature and potential danger to human health, the use of Anhydrous ammonia requires strict safety measures. Plants that produce and handle this chemical must adhere to stringent regulations to minimize risks to workers and the environment.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Amoniac khan | Anhydrous ammonia | 28141000 | 7664-41-7 | NH3 |
See more chemical safety training services according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Anhydrous ammonia originate from in the production process?
In the industrial production process, Anhydrous ammonia can originate from various sources. One of the main sources is the direct synthesis from nitrogen and hydrogen, carried out at high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst. This reaction produces ammonia, which is then cooled and compressed into liquid form for various uses.
Additionally, ammonia can also be released during the decomposition of nitrogen-containing organic compounds, such as fertilizers, animal waste, and plant matter. In a factory environment, improper handling of these wastes can lead to the release of ammonia into the air, affecting the health of workers.
Furthermore, in some chemical production processes, ammonia is used as a raw material or an intermediate. If not strictly controlled, leaks or losses of ammonia can occur, especially in piping systems, storage tanks, or reaction equipment. This requires strict safety measures to prevent incidents and protect workers’ health.
3. Industries that use Anhydrous ammonia in production
In industrial production, Anhydrous ammonia is widely used in many different sectors. In the fertilizer industry, it is the main raw material for synthesizing fertilizers like urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate, playing a crucial role in providing nutrients for crops.
In the chemical industry, ammonia is used as a raw material to produce other basic chemicals such as nitric acid, hydrazine, and ammonium derivatives. These chemicals are then used in the production of dyes, detergents, and pharmaceuticals.
The refrigeration industry also uses anhydrous ammonia gas as a refrigerant in industrial cooling systems. The good thermal conductivity and energy-saving capabilities of ammonia make it a popular choice in frozen food production plants and cold storage facilities.
In addition, ammonia is also used in the paper and textile industries. In paper production, it is involved in the pulp treatment process, helping to improve product quality. In textiles, ammonia is used to treat fabric, helping to increase the strength and softness of the fibers.
Finally, the energy sector also utilizes ammonia as an intermediate in fuel production and as a reducing agent for nitrogen oxides (NOx) in power plants, contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution.
4. How does Anhydrous ammonia affect workers?
NH3 gas can cause many dangerous effects on the health of workers when exposed in a production environment. When inhaling NH3 gas at low concentrations, workers may experience symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, causing discomfort and hindering normal respiratory function.
When exposed to higher concentrations, NH3 can cause serious damage to the respiratory system. Workers are at risk of developing pneumonia, bronchial damage, or even pulmonary edema. These symptoms not only cause pain but also reduce the ability to work, directly affecting labor productivity.
NH3 can also harm the skin and eyes if direct contact occurs. When in contact with the skin, NH3 can cause chemical burns, damaging soft tissue and leaving long-lasting scars. For the eyes, NH3 can cause severe irritation, leading to redness, pain, or even vision loss if not treated promptly.
Furthermore, long-term exposure to low levels of NH3 can also lead to chronic health problems such as respiratory inflammation, asthma, or immune system-related diseases. These effects not only affect the quality of life but also create a health burden for workers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Anhydrous ammonia for human exposure
According to international occupational safety standards, the concentration of Anhydrous ammonia considered safe for human exposure depends on the regulations and recommendations of health and safety organizations. OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) specifies the maximum permissible concentration of ammonia in the workplace as 50 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour workday. However, this concentration can cause mild symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
At higher concentrations, workers may face more serious problems, such as difficulty breathing and severe damage to the respiratory system with long-term exposure. Therefore, occupational safety regulations recommend that the ammonia concentration should not exceed 35 ppm in a regular work environment.
Experts also advise that if the ammonia concentration in the air exceeds 500 ppm, the risk is life-threatening, and workers should be evacuated immediately.
On a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to anhydrous Ammonia. 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 health effects of Anhydrous ammonia on workers
To minimize the health effects of Anhydrous ammonia on workers, personal protective measures and workplace environment controls play a crucial role. One of the first measures is to improve the ventilation system in factories and production areas where ammonia is used. Ensuring constant air circulation will help reduce the concentration of toxic gas in the air, thereby protecting workers from the harmful effects of ammonia.
In addition, the use of personal protective equipment is necessary, especially respirators and protective gear for the eyes and skin. Masks equipped with appropriate filters can help workers avoid inhaling ammonia gas, while eye and skin protection helps minimize the risk of direct contact with ammonia and protect long-term health.
Production plants also need to conduct periodic checks of ammonia concentrations in the air to ensure safety levels are met according to regulations. Along with this, training and instructing workers on how to recognize the signs of an ammonia incident and how to respond when one occurs is very important. This helps raise awareness and the ability to respond promptly in case of an incident, minimizing risks as much as possible.
Finally, production processes and equipment operation must be designed to avoid ammonia leaks. Regular maintenance and inspection of ammonia containment systems, especially piping and storage tanks, are also a critical part of reducing risks for 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 occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit specializing in 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 OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets 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 occupational 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.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. You will also get the best deals on costs.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information about 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 also always ready to provide advice 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.
