Working environment factors
How does Bromine affect workers’ health?
Dec
Bromine (Br2) is a common chemical in manufacturing, but few are aware of its serious effects on workers’ health. This article will explore the health risks that bromine can pose and how to effectively protect workers when handling this substance.
1. What is Bromine?
Bromine, with the chemical formula Br2, is a chemical element belonging to the halogen group in the periodic table. Bromine can exist as a gas, liquid, or solid, but at room temperature, it is primarily a reddish-brown liquid with a pungent odor and is highly corrosive. In nature, bromine is usually found in compounds with sodium, potassium, and other metals, mainly in seawater, salts, and minerals.
Bromine is a halogen, with chemical properties similar to other elements in the same group like chlorine and iodine, but it is more toxic. It readily reacts with other elements and has strong oxidizing properties, which makes bromine widely used in industry, especially in the production of plastics, pesticides, bleaching agents, and other chemical products.
However, due to its volatile nature and ability to disperse in the air, bromine can be hazardous to human health upon contact.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Brom | Bromine | 28013000 | 7726-95-6 | Br2 |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Bromine originate from in the production process?
During production, bromine can be generated from various sources, especially from industries that use or produce bromine-containing compounds. One of the main sources of bromine is in factories producing plastics, synthetic rubber, and other organic compounds, where bromine is used as a catalyst or in chemical reaction processes.
Bromine also appears in pesticide manufacturing plants, where bromine-containing compounds are used to kill insects and pests. Additionally, in the pharmaceutical industry, bromine can be generated during the production of sedatives, anticonvulsants, and other drugs.
Another source is from water treatment processes, especially when bromine or its compounds are used to disinfect water, killing bacteria and algae in wastewater systems or swimming pools.
3. Industries that use Bromine in production
Bromine is used in many different industries, especially those requiring chemical compounds with strong oxidizing capabilities or as catalysts. In the plastics and rubber industry, bromine is used to produce plastics, synthetic resins, and flame-retardant materials. Bromine-containing compounds are used to improve the mechanical properties of products, particularly their fire resistance.
The pharmaceutical industry is also one of the sectors that use bromine, with bromine-containing compounds being applied in the production of sedatives, anticonvulsants, and antibiotics. These compounds help treat diseases related to the nervous system, especially in the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological issues.
In the chemical manufacturing sector, bromine is used as a catalyst in chemical reactions, creating bromine-containing organic compounds that have applications in many other production industries. The pesticide industry also uses bromine to produce insecticides, protecting crops from pests and harmful insects.
Furthermore, bromine is also present in the water treatment industry, where bromine compounds are used to disinfect and kill bacteria in wastewater or domestic water systems.
4. How does Bromine affect workers?
When exposed to bromine, workers can experience serious health effects, especially with long-term exposure or at high concentrations. Inhaling bromine vapor can irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and a feeling of suffocation. Direct contact with bromine can damage lung tissue, leading to chronic pneumonia or respiratory tract damage.
In addition, skin contact with bromine can also cause severe irritation, such as dermatitis, skin burns, and ulcers. In some cases, the skin may be corroded or develop a rash caused by bromine. If liquid bromine comes into direct contact with the eyes, it can cause conjunctivitis, red and painful eyes, and even corneal damage if not treated promptly.
Long-term exposure to bromine can lead to more serious problems, such as damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Research also indicates that bromine can cause hormonal disturbances, affecting endocrine function and reproductive health.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Bromine for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of bromine for human exposure is regulated by health and occupational safety organizations to protect workers’ health. According to guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the concentration of bromine in the air needs to be strictly controlled to minimize health risks.
For the work environment, OSHA specifies a maximum bromine concentration that a worker can be exposed to for one hour is 0.1 ppm (parts per million) to avoid adverse effects such as irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Additionally, the maximum permissible concentration in the air over a full workday is 0.01 ppm. These values are set to minimize both short-term and long-term health effects on workers.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Bromine. Organizations like 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 Bromine on workers
To minimize the health effects of bromine on workers, strict preventive and control measures are extremely important. One of the first measures is to establish an effective ventilation system in production areas where bromine is used. Maintaining fresh, well-circulated air will help reduce the concentration of bromine in the atmosphere, limiting workers’ exposure to this gas.
In addition, workers must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, safety goggles, gloves, and chemical-resistant protective clothing. This equipment helps prevent direct contact with bromine, protecting vulnerable body parts like the skin and eyes, as well as minimizing the risk of inhaling toxic bromine vapor.
Organizing occupational safety training for workers is an indispensable measure. Workers need to be specifically instructed on safe work procedures, how to use protective equipment, and how to recognize signs of danger when working in an environment with bromine. Regular health check-ups are also very important to promptly detect any signs of health effects, allowing for quick action.
Finally, monitoring and checking the concentration of bromine in the workplace air is necessary to ensure that safety limits are always adhered to. Early warning systems and bromine concentration measuring devices can help detect potential risks, enabling timely intervention to protect workers’ health effectively.
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 adherence to safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, to collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of risk 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 the supervision and measurement of occupational environment 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 OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the occupational environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and is committed 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 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 expertise and 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. 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 quotation table for high-quality and reasonably priced occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table 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 also always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
