Working environment factors
How does Arsenic hydride (Arsine) affect workers’ health?
Dec
Arsenic trihydride (arsine) is a hazardous chemical that can cause many serious harmful effects to the health of workers upon exposure in a production environment. This article will analyze in detail the health effects of arsine and the necessary protective measures to minimize risks.
1. What is Arsenic trihydride (arsine)?
Arsenic trihydride (arsine), with the chemical formula AsH₃, is an inorganic compound of arsenic (As) with hydrogen (H). It is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas, typically appearing in a gaseous state at normal temperature and pressure. Arsenic trihydride is known as one of the most toxic gases, capable of adversely affecting human health upon direct contact.
Arsenic trihydride is primarily produced in industrial processes, such as in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, pesticide production, or other industries related to arsenic. In industrial environments, the presence of arsine can lead to strong reactions with oxygen or oxidizing agents, forming dangerous by-products.
The chemical formula AsH₃ reflects the combination of one arsenic atom with three hydrogen atoms, forming a gas molecule. This combination gives arsine its particularly toxic properties, such as the ability to be absorbed into the body through the respiratory tract, adversely affecting internal organs, especially the nervous and respiratory systems. Therefore, a clear understanding of the nature and properties of arsenic trihydride is crucial for preventing and controlling the health risks associated with this chemical in manufacturing plants.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Asen hydrua | Arsenic trihydride (arsine) | 28500000 | 7784-42-1 | AsH₃ |
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2. Where does Arsenic trihydride (arsine) originate from in the production process?
During the production process, arsine can originate from various sources, especially in industries that use arsenic or its compounds. One of the most common sources is in semiconductor manufacturing plants, where arsenic is used in the fabrication of electronic components. In these processes, arsenic can react with hydrogen to form arsine gas.
Additionally, arsine can also appear in pesticide manufacturing plants, where arsenic or arsenic-containing compounds are used to produce crop protection products. The production and formulation of pesticides can sometimes generate arsine gas if there is an incomplete reaction or uncontrolled conditions during processing steps.
Furthermore, in the metallurgy and mining industries, especially in activities related to arsenic, arsine gas can be formed when arsenic comes into contact with metal compounds or during incomplete pyrolysis. This is also a potential source for the creation of arsine in production environments.
3. Industries that use Arsenic trihydride (arsine) in production
In production, arsine is primarily used in industries related to semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. In electronic component manufacturing plants, arsine is used in the fabrication of semiconductor compounds, especially in techniques like doping to improve the properties of semiconductor materials such as silicon or gallium arsenide.
Besides that, arsine also appears in the pesticide manufacturing industry. Arsenic compounds are used to create crop protection chemicals, and during the production process, arsine can be formed due to reactions between chemical components in the manufacturing process.
The metallurgy industry is also a field where arsine can be generated. In smelting plants, especially when processing ores containing arsenic or its compounds, arsine gas can be released during the smelting or metal processing stages. This often occurs when arsenic is present in the ore or when arsenic compounds decompose at high temperatures.
In addition, arsine can also be found in some other industries, such as in the production of special chemical compounds, in the process of manufacturing explosive materials, or in scientific research activities where arsine is used as a reactant or in chemical experiments.
4. How does Arsenic trihydride (arsine) affect workers?
When workers are exposed to arsine, this toxic gas can cause serious health effects. Arsine primarily acts through the respiratory tract; when the gas enters the lungs and bloodstream, it leads to negative effects on the body’s organs, particularly the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
At mild levels, exposure to arsine can cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are the initial signs of gas poisoning. If exposure is prolonged or at high concentrations, arsine can cause more severe damage. One of the most dangerous effects of this gas is the destruction of red blood cells, leading to severe anemia and potentially shock. Additionally, arsine can also damage internal organs like the liver and kidneys.
At higher exposure levels, symptoms can become more severe, including respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, and even death. In particular, long-term exposure to arsine gas can cause chronic diseases, such as nerve damage and impaired breathing ability. Studies also indicate that workers with long-term exposure to arsine have a high risk of developing cancer-related diseases due to the accumulation of arsenic compounds in the body.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Arsenic trihydride (arsine) for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of arsine for human exposure is regulated by the standards of international health and occupational safety organizations. According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the concentration of arsine in the air must not exceed a certain level to protect workers’ health.
Specifically, OSHA stipulates that the concentration of arsine in the work environment must not exceed 0.05 parts per million (ppm) in the air over a workday. This is the maximum concentration to which a worker can be exposed without facing serious health risks. However, in environments with concentrations higher than this level, protective measures such as ventilation, personal protective equipment, and strict safety procedures must be implemented to minimize risk.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Arsine. 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 mitigate the health effects of Arsenic trihydride (arsine) on workers
To minimize the effects of arsine on workers’ health, implementing preventive and control measures is very important. One of the main measures is to ensure an effective ventilation system in production areas where arsine gas is used. Maintaining a well-ventilated workspace will help reduce the concentration of arsine gas in the air, thereby limiting the risk of exposure.
In addition, workers must fully use personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, and protective clothing. This equipment will help prevent arsine from entering through the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes, protecting workers from direct contact with the toxic gas. This protective equipment needs to be carefully selected and inspected to ensure its effectiveness in preventing arsine from entering the body.
Furthermore, training and educating workers on the risks associated with arsine and how to handle incidents is essential. Workers need to be equipped with knowledge on how to recognize and respond to an arsine leak, as well as emergency first aid measures in case of exposure.
Finally, monitoring and measuring the concentration of arsine gas in the air in production areas is indispensable. Gas concentration measuring devices must be used regularly to ensure that the arsine level in the environment remains within the permissible safety limits.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on 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, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Workplace Environment Monitoring
The workplace environment monitoring center of Nam Viet 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 measurement equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists 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 customer needs, and committing to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and human resources, 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.
- 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. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
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. It 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 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.
