Working environment factors
How Does Benzoyl Chloride Affect Workers’ Health?
Nov
Benzoyl chloride is an important chemical compound widely used in industry, especially in the production of chemical products and pharmaceuticals. However, exposure to benzoyl chloride can have significant health effects on workers. This article will explore in detail the impacts of benzoyl chloride on human health and the safety measures that need to be implemented to protect workers in work environments related to this substance.
1. What is benzoyl chloride?
Benzoyl chloride (C7H5OCl) is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C7H5OCl. It is a chloride form of benzoic acid. Benzoyl chloride is commonly used in chemical synthesis processes to produce other organic compounds, especially derivatives of benzoic acid.
This compound typically exists as a colorless liquid with a pungent, unpleasant odor. Benzoyl chloride is a relatively reactive substance and can react with water, producing benzoic acid and hydrochloric acid. Due to this reactive nature, benzoyl chloride is often used in specific chemical reactions that require the action of a chloride.
| No. | Chemical Name (Vietnamese) | Chemical Name (English) | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Benzoyl clorua | Benzoyl chloride | 29163200 | 98-88-4 | C7H5OCl |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
2. Where does benzoyl chloride originate from in the production process?
Benzoyl chloride is typically produced through the reaction between benzoic acid (C7H6O2) and thionyl chloride (SOCl2). This reaction creates benzoyl chloride (C7H5OCl), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) as follows:
C7H6O2 + SOCl2 → C7H5OCl + HCl + SO2
This is a chlorination reaction, and thionyl chloride is often chosen as the chlorinating agent in this process due to its strong chlorinating properties.
This process is usually carried out under specific and tightly controlled conditions to ensure high efficiency and safety during the production of benzoyl chloride. However, due to the strong chlorinating nature of the reactants, handling and using benzoyl chloride in an industrial environment requires special attention to ensure the safety of workers and the environment.
3. Industries that use Benzoyl chloride in production
Benzoyl chloride (C7H5OCl) is widely used in many different industries, especially in the production of chemical compounds and pharmaceuticals. Here are some of the main industries where benzoyl chloride is commonly used:
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Benzoyl chloride is an important raw material in the production of many types of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical compounds. It is often used to synthesize key ingredients in various drugs.
- Petrochemical Industry: Benzoyl chloride may be used in some chemical processes within the petrochemical industry, particularly in the production of chemical compounds with wide applications in the energy and materials sectors.
- Chemical Manufacturing Industry: Benzoyl chloride is often used as a precursor to synthesize other chemical compounds, including chemical additives, colorants, and production aids.
- Rubber Manufacturing Industry: In some cases, benzoyl chloride can be used as an initiator in the production of chemical-resistant rubber types.
- Polymer Manufacturing Industry: Benzoyl chloride also has applications in some processes for producing polymers and compounds with special properties.
4. How does Benzoyl chloride affect workers?
Benzoyl chloride can affect the health of workers upon direct contact. Below are some health issues that may arise from exposure to benzoyl chloride:
- Skin and eye irritation: Benzoyl chloride is a corrosive substance and can cause irritation or burns if it comes into direct contact with the skin. It can also cause irritation and damage to the eyes upon contact.
- Respiratory problems: Benzoyl chloride vapor can irritate the respiratory tract, causing problems such as sore throat, or discomfort when breathing. In work environments with high concentrations, inhaling benzoyl chloride can lead to serious health problems.
- Impact on the nervous system: Benzoyl chloride can also affect the nervous system, causing symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and even more serious problems with long-term exposure and in high-concentration environments.
- Toxicity risk: Long-term exposure and high levels of exposure can lead to toxicity risks and affect various body systems, including the digestive and circulatory systems.
To reduce this risk, safety measures such as using personal protective equipment (including safety glasses, masks, gloves) and adhering to safety rules during the handling of benzoyl chloride are important. Manufacturers and workers need to follow safety guidelines and keep the work environment controlled to minimize health risks.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Benzoyl chloride for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of benzoyl chloride for human exposure depends on many factors, including exposure time, route of exposure (skin, inhalation, eyes), and working conditions. Safety and health regulatory agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States or equivalent organizations in other countries typically establish Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for chemical substances like benzoyl chloride.
However, to provide a general idea, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States has set the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for benzoyl chloride at 1 ppm (parts per million) for an 8-hour workday and a Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 3 ppm over a 15-minute period.
6. Measures to minimize the health effects of Benzoyl chloride on workers
To minimize the health effects of benzoyl chloride on workers, the following safety and risk management measures can be implemented:
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Ensure workers use adequate PPE such as safety glasses, masks, gloves, and chemical-resistant clothing when working with benzoyl chloride.
- Select PPE appropriate for the type of exposure and working temperature.
- Workplace Management:
- Work in an environment with an effective ventilation system to reduce the concentration of benzoyl chloride vapor in the air.
- Use vacuum and filtration systems to control and limit the spread of this substance in the workspace.
- Occupational Safety Training:
- Train workers on safety and correct working procedures when exposed to benzoyl chloride.
- Provide information on the health effects of benzoyl chloride and how to protect oneself.
- Risk Assessment and Monitoring:
- Conduct regular risk assessments to determine exposure levels and apply appropriate preventive measures.
- Inspect and maintain risk control equipment such as ventilation and vacuum systems.
- Compliance with Safety Regulations:
- Adhere to the safety regulations and guidelines of local labor and health authorities.
- Control Exposure Time:
- Limit exposure time to benzoyl chloride, especially in high-concentration environments.
- Prevent Contamination:
- Prevent the transfer of benzoyl chloride from work clothes and equipment to non-work areas through cleaning and changing procedures.
- Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Workplace Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With an experienced team of monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and commits 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 things possible.
- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with expertise, we desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With the Nam Viet Environment 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. Workplace Environment Monitoring Quotation
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation table provides detailed price information for 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 commit to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to advise and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We commit to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
