Working environment factors
How does arsenic affect workers’ health?
May
In today’s increasingly complex and demanding industrial work environment, workers’ health plays an extremely important role. However, few people realize that there is a potential element— a hidden harmful substance present in many industries — that negatively affects workers’ health. That substance is arsenic, a dangerous element that workers often overlook or fail to recognize the significant impact it can cause.
In this article, we will explore in depth the effects of arsenic on workers’ health and the necessary measures to ensure a safe working environment.
1. What is arsenic?
Arsenic (also known as arsenic trioxide) is a chemical element in the periodic table with the symbol As and atomic number 33. Arsenic exists in solid form and has a light grayish-white color.
Arsenic has many industrial applications, including battery manufacturing, alloys, dyes, pesticides, electronic products, etc. However, arsenic is also a toxic substance that is harmful to humans. Long-term exposure or exposure in unsafe working environments can lead to numerous health issues, including neurological problems, digestive disorders, cardiovascular issues, and an increased risk of cancer.
Controlling and managing arsenic in the workplace is extremely important to protect workers’ health and ensure community safety. Safety measures and compliance with occupational safety regulations must be applied to reduce exposure and risks associated with arsenic.
2. Sources of arsenic generation in production processes
Arsenic can originate from various sources during the production process. Below are some common sources of arsenic:
- Arsenic can be naturally present in soil, rock, groundwater, and other natural resources. During mining, excavation, or land processing activities, arsenic may be released into the environment.
- In many industries, arsenic is used in manufacturing processes, such as the production of batteries, alloys, dyes, pesticides, electronic devices, etc. Processing, recycling, or waste disposal in these industries can generate arsenic and cause environmental pollution.
- Arsenic may appear in industrial wastewater or water treatment processes. If wastewater treatment is ineffective, arsenic may remain in the water and cause environmental contamination if not properly managed.
To reduce arsenic generation and control pollution, safe environmental treatment technologies and standardized production processes must be applied. In addition, regular monitoring, inspections, and compliance with environmental workplace regulations are crucial to ensure worker safety and environmental protection.
3. Occupations with arsenic exposure risks
Some occupations where workers may be exposed to arsenic and face health risks include:
- Ore mining and non-ferrous metal smelting.
- Manufacturing and using arsenic-containing pesticides.
- Using arsenic compounds in leather processing, glass production, electronics, wood preservation, optical technology.
- Other jobs involving exposure to arsenic and arsenic compounds.
4. How arsenic affects workers’ comfort
Arsenic can significantly affect workers’ comfort in the workplace. Below are some ways arsenic may impact workers:
- Effects on the nervous system, such as fatigue, lack of concentration, dizziness, and discomfort. These effects may reduce work performance and negatively impact morale.
- Arsenic can disperse into the air in vapor or fine particle form. When inhaled, it may cause respiratory issues such as pneumonia, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Long-term, high-concentration exposure may cause stomach and duodenal ulcers, leading to decreased comfort and symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
- It may cause high blood pressure and affect the cardiovascular system.
- The negative impacts of arsenic on health and comfort may cause stress and affect workers’ psychological well-being.
- Thickened lesions may appear on the palms and soles, initially resembling grain-sized bumps that grow larger and spread; in some cases, lesions may appear on the back, abdomen, thighs, legs, and arms. The affected skin may become yellow and cracked. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning [/caption]
- Increased risk of cancers such as lung, skin, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer.
- Neurological problems, including impaired nerve function, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, arrhythmias, and nerve damage.
- Respiratory problems: pneumonia, coughing, shortness of breath, rhinitis, sinusitis.
- Digestive issues: stomach and duodenal ulcers.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including hypertension, arrhythmias, and arterial diseases.
- Kidney damage, potentially leading to kidney failure.
- Reproductive health impacts, including infertility, uterine arsenic exposure, and reproductive disorders.
- Apply engineering controls such as effective ventilation systems, vacuum extraction, and chemical neutralization systems to reduce arsenic exposure during production.
- Ensure workers are fully equipped with and properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, goggles, protective clothing, gloves, etc.
- Treat and dispose of arsenic-containing waste according to safety regulations to avoid environmental contamination and prevent reprocessing of hazardous materials.
- Conduct periodic health checkups to monitor arsenic’s effects on workers and detect early signs of health issues.
- Ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and safety procedures related to arsenic established by regulatory authorities.
- Worker safety training: Provide training on health protection measures to help workers safeguard themselves in hazardous environments.
- Regularly conduct occupational environment monitoring in factories to collect and analyze harmful factors and adjust risks to prevent occupational diseases.
- We always value brand reputation and the quality of our services.
- We provide customers with the best and most suitable solutions.
- Our team of experienced Masters and Engineers aims to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in this field along with the best cost-saving policies.
- Our price list provides detailed information on fees for the monitoring services we offer, including costs for transportation, measurements, analysis, and reporting. Customers can be assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring results provided.
- We are committed to offering competitive and reasonable pricing and are always ready to provide quick and professional consultation regarding any monitoring service inquiries.
- With Nam Viet’s service pricing list, customers can easily select packages suited to their needs. We ensure maximum customer satisfaction with our professional service quality.
5. Permissible arsenic exposure limits in the workplace
According to QCVN 03:2019/BYT (National Technical Regulation on Permissible Exposure Limits of 50 Chemical Factors in the Workplace):
Table 1. Maximum permissible exposure limits for chemical factors in the workplace.
Unit: mg/m3
|
No. |
Chemical Name | English Name | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | CAS Number | Time-Weighted Average (TWA) | Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) |
IARC Toxicity Group |
|
7 |
Arsenic and compounds |
Arsenic and compound |
As | 74.92 | 7440-38-2 | 0.01 | – |
1 |
6. Diseases caused by long-term arsenic exposure
Long-term and high-concentration arsenic exposure can cause occupational diseases, affecting workers’ health and ability to work. Common diseases include:
To protect workers’ health, it is critical to implement occupational safety measures, reduce arsenic exposure, and comply with safety and environmental protection regulations.
7. Measures to minimize the effects of arsenic on workers’ health
To reduce arsenic’s impact on workers’ health, the following measures may be applied:
To minimize the impact of arsenic on workers’ health, preventive measures and safety procedures must be fully and strictly implemented.
8. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
The Occupational Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring occupational environmental quality throughout all provinces in Vietnam. With an experienced team of monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
Besides providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, management, and follow-up of occupational environmental issues. With the motto “customer-centric service,” the center prioritizes customer satisfaction, meeting all needs and delivering the best solutions for businesses.
With strong investments in technology 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 goals:
9. Occupational Environment Monitoring Service Pricing
To support businesses in performing occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a comprehensive service pricing list at reasonable costs.
