Working environment factors
How does Butene affect workers’ health?
Dec
Butene (C4H8) is a common chemical in industry, but few people know that it can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will analyze the effects of Butene on health and the necessary protective measures when working with this chemical in factories.
1. What is Butene?
Butene (C4H8) is an organic compound belonging to the olefin group, with the chemical formula C4H8. It is an unsaturated hydrocarbon containing four carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms. Butene has two main isomers, 1-butene and 2-butene, which are distinguished by the position of the double bond between the carbon atoms. 1-butene has a double bond at the first position of the carbon chain, while 2-butene has a double bond in the middle of the carbon chain.
Butene is a colorless, flammable gas and is often used in industry to produce plastics, rubber, and other chemical compounds. It is also used in the synthesis of important chemical products such as deoxidizers, detergents, and high-octane gasoline. In addition, butene is used in the production of polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and other types of plastics, playing an important role in many industries.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Buten | Butene | 29012300 | 25167-67-3 | C4H8 |
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 Butene originate from in the production process?
In industrial production, butene is primarily produced through the cracking process of petroleum and natural gas. This process helps to break down heavy hydrocarbon components into smaller molecules, including butene. Additionally, butene can also be generated in natural gas processing plants when compounds like methane and ethane are processed.
Besides originating from cracking, butene can also be created through the combustion of other organic compounds in industries, such as gasoline production or during the manufacturing of other related chemicals. The recycling of products containing butene in the production of plastics and rubber products also contributes to the generation of butene.
3. Industries that use Butene in production
In industrial production, butene is widely used in many different sectors. The chemical industry is one of the main fields that use butene, especially in the synthesis of polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polybutylene. These polymers are used in the production of packaging, building materials, electronic components, and other consumer products.
The rubber manufacturing industry is another area that uses butene, particularly in the production of synthetic rubbers. Butene helps improve the flexibility and abrasion resistance of rubber, with major applications in the tire manufacturing industry, hoses, and other industrial rubber products.
Furthermore, butene is used in the petroleum industry, where it plays a crucial role in the production of high-octane gasoline. Butene is an important component in adjusting and optimizing the properties of gasoline, helping to increase engine performance.
Other chemical manufacturing industries, such as those producing plastics, detergents, and other organic compounds, also use butene in their production processes to create products with high utility value.
4. How does Butene affect workers?
When workers are exposed to butene in the workplace, this substance can cause many negative health effects. As a volatile and flammable compound, butene can enter the body through the respiratory tract by inhaling its vapor or through direct skin contact. Inhaling high concentrations of butene can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and even loss of consciousness in cases of prolonged exposure or excessively high concentrations.
Additionally, prolonged exposure to butene can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Workers may experience symptoms such as red eyes, runny nose, coughing, or a burning sensation in the throat.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Butene for human exposure
The safe concentration of butene for human exposure is regulated by occupational health and safety agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). According to these standards, the maximum permissible concentration of butene in the air is 2.5 parts per million (ppm) for a continuous work hour, and should not exceed 1.2 ppm for exposure over an 8-hour workday.
These regulations are established to ensure that workers are not exposed to high concentration levels that could adversely affect their health. These concentrations have been studied and evaluated based on toxicity studies of butene, helping to prevent occupational diseases and negative impacts on the human body. Controlling the concentration of butene in the air is essential to protect workers from risks related to respiration and other health problems when working in an environment where this chemical is used.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Butene. 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 Butene on workers
To minimize the health effects of butene on workers, applying protective measures and controlling the work environment is very important. One of the most effective measures is to use a good ventilation system in the production area to reduce the concentration of butene in the air. The ventilation system must be designed so that the air in the work area is constantly exchanged and there is no accumulation of butene gas.
In addition to ventilation, workers need to be fully equipped with personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, and chemical-resistant clothing. This equipment helps limit direct contact with butene and protects workers from the negative effects of the chemical.
Along with that, training and raising awareness for workers about the risks and preventive measures when working with butene is very necessary. Workers need to be clearly instructed on how to recognize the signs of overexposure to butene and how to handle emergency situations.
Finally, production facilities need to conduct regular inspections and monitor the concentration of butene in the air to ensure safety levels. This helps to promptly detect issues related to occupational safety and take corrective actions as needed.
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.
