Working environment factors
How does carbon monoxide (CO) affect workers’ health?
Jun
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is often invisible, making it a dangerous silent killer. It is present in industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and various combustion processes. However, it is not just a toxic gas but also a serious threat to workers’ health.
When inhaled, CO quickly enters the bloodstream through the lungs and binds with red blood cells. This reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to organs and tissues. As a result, oxygen supply is reduced, causing severe health effects for workers.
Especially, people working in industrial environments, factories, production workshops, or even construction sites are at risk of CO exposure. With CO emissions from machinery, industrial equipment, and combustion systems, they face potential hazards every day.
1. What is Carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas with high toxicity. Excessive CO in the air can reduce the body’s ability to absorb oxygen, leading to severe tissue damage and potentially death. CO is a leading cause of unintentional poisoning fatalities.
CO is produced by devices and equipment that generate combustion smoke, such as gas burners, gasoline or oil-based fuels, wood, and other fuels (coal). The risk occurs when CO accumulates in poorly ventilated enclosed spaces. Ventilation is a simple preventive measure that can save lives.
2. Where does CO come from during production?
During production, carbon monoxide (CO) can originate from various activities and processes. Below are some common sources of CO in industrial settings:
- Fuel combustion: Using fuels such as coal, heavy fuel oil, diesel, gas, or even vegetable oil in industrial machinery, boilers, furnaces, generators, cooking systems, etc., can produce CO.
- Metal welding processes.
- Industries such as metallurgy, chemical production, paper manufacturing, textiles, etc., may produce CO during production, waste treatment, or combustion of materials.
- Waste treatment processes such as solid waste, wastewater, or exhaust gas treatment from plants can also generate CO if decomposition is not properly conducted.
- In confined spaces such as mines, warehouses, or construction tunnels, CO may arise from incomplete combustion or accumulation in poorly ventilated areas.
To ensure worker safety, CO control, management, and mitigation measures must be applied during production, including using effective ventilation systems, CO concentration monitoring devices, and compliance with safety regulations and environmental standards.
3. Occupations with CO hazards to workers
Certain occupations involve carbon monoxide (CO) exposure and pose health risks to workers. Examples include:
- Automobile and motorcycle repair workshops.
- Firefighting.
- Working in tunnels, oil, and chemical industries.
- Metallurgy, casting, furnace operations.
- Using engines powered by gasoline, diesel, coal, or wood.
- Other jobs with potential CO exposure.
For workers in these occupations, risk management and adherence to safety measures are crucial to ensure health and safety. This includes using personal protective equipment, effective ventilation systems, and complying with CO control regulations in the workplace.
4. How CO affects workers’ comfort
Carbon monoxide (CO) not only impacts workers’ health but also negatively affects their comfort in the workplace. Here are some ways CO can affect comfort:
- Continuous exposure to CO reduces oxygen levels in the body, causing fatigue, sluggishness, and difficulty concentrating. This can lead to lower productivity and increased work errors.
- Increased risk of workplace accidents.
- CO binding to red blood cells reduces oxygen supply to the brain, causing fatigue, anxiety, and discomfort.
- CO is colorless and odorless; without proper control and ventilation, it can accumulate in the workplace.
5. Permissible CO exposure limits at work
According to QCVN 03:2019/BYT National Technical Regulation on permissible exposure limits for 50 chemical factors in workplaces:
Table 1. Maximum permissible exposure limits for chemical factors in workplaces.
Unit: mg/m3
| No. | Chemical Name | Chemical Name (English) | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | CAS Number | TWA (Workday Exposure Limit) | STEL (Short-Term Exposure Limit) | IARC Toxicity Group |
| 14 | Carbon monoxide | Carbon monoxide | CO | 28.01 | 630-08-0 | 20 | 40 | – |
6. Diseases caused by long-term CO exposure
Prolonged and high-concentration exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can lead to serious health problems for workers:
- CO binds to red blood cells and inhibits oxygen transport. Continuous inhalation leads to oxygen deficiency, impairing organ and tissue functions.
- Respiratory issues: pneumonia, laryngitis, sinusitis, and other respiratory problems with symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, etc.
- Nervous system effects: headaches, dizziness, nausea, imbalance, and even loss of consciousness. Severe cases may result in brain damage, neurological impairment, or death.
- Cardiovascular effects: heart failure, myocardial infarction, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as angina and heart attack.
- Cognitive, mental, Parkinson’s disease, paralysis (rarely symmetric), chorea, cortical blindness, peripheral neuropathy, male reproductive disorders.
7. Measures to minimize CO impact on workers’ health
To minimize carbon monoxide (CO) exposure for workers, the following control and prevention measures should be applied:
- Ensure effective ventilation systems in work areas to remove CO and supply fresh air. This may include exhaust fans, air extraction systems, or air filtration devices.
- Implement safe work procedures and ensure adherence to safety and environmental protection regulations, including minimizing CO-generating substances, using safe procedures, and ensuring efficient combustion systems.
- Use full personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, goggles, gloves, protective clothing to protect respiratory health and reduce CO exposure.
- Regularly inspect and maintain CO-producing equipment such as furnaces, combustion systems, machinery, and industrial vehicles to ensure proper functioning and prevent unwanted CO pollution.
- Worker training: Train workers on health protection measures so they can protect themselves in hazardous environments.
- Conduct periodic workplace environment monitoring in factories to collect and analyze harmful factors and adjust risks to prevent occupational diseases.
Preventive measures and strict safety procedures are essential to reduce the impact of CO on workers’ health.
8. National workplace environment monitoring center
Nam Viet Workplace Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit monitoring and measuring workplace environmental quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern equipment ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to monitoring services, the center supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environmental issues. With the motto “customer-centered,” it focuses on client satisfaction and provides the best solutions for businesses.
With investments in technology, equipment, and personnel, Nam Viet monitoring center has become a reputable unit in workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with objectives:
- We value our brand reputation and service quality.
- We provide the best and most suitable services for clients.
- Our team of experienced Masters and Engineers aims to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- By working with Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts and the best cost incentives.
9. Workplace environment monitoring service pricing
To help businesses conduct workplace monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a pricing table for workplace environment monitoring services with high quality and reasonable cost.
- The pricing table provides detailed information about monitoring service costs, including travel, measurement, analysis, and report preparation. Customers can rely on the accuracy and reliability of the reports provided.
- We commit to offering competitive and fair prices and are ready to promptly advise and answer any service questions professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s pricing table, customers can easily choose services that meet their needs, ensuring maximum satisfaction and professional quality.
