Working environment factors
How does Cyclohexanone affect workers’ health?
Mar
Cyclohexanone (C6H10O) is an important chemical in many industries, but does it threaten the health of workers? When exposed in a factory environment, this chemical can cause serious effects on the respiratory system, nervous system, and skin. Let’s explore the potential risks and how to protect yourself!
1. What is Cyclohexanone?
Cyclohexanone, also known colloquially as “pimelic ketone,” is an organic compound belonging to the cyclic ketone group, with the chemical formula C₆H₁₀O. This liquid is colorless, has a scent similar to acetone, and has a moderate evaporation rate. Over time, cyclohexanone can turn yellow due to oxidation. Although sparingly soluble in water, it dissolves well in many other organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, and acetone. In industry, cyclohexanone is widely used as a solvent and is an important raw material in the production of nylon, plastics, paints, and printing inks.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Cyclo hexanon | Cyclohexanone | 29142200 | 108-94-1 | C6H10O |
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2. Where does Cyclohexanone originate from during the production process?
In industrial production, this compound mainly originates from factories that produce plastics, paints, adhesives, and synthetic fibers. It is widely used as a solvent to dissolve PVC, to support the synthesis of adipic acid – the main raw material for producing nylon, as well as a component in paints, printing inks, and industrial detergents.
The sources of this chemical can appear in the stages of distillation, refining, or solvent mixing in the production line. When exposed to high temperatures or low-pressure environments, this compound evaporates easily and disperses into the air as vapor, posing an inhalation risk to workers. In addition, improper storage and transport can also lead to leaks into the environment, increasing the risk of exposure in the workspace.
3. Industries that use Cyclohexanone in production
This compound is widely used in many industries, especially in the production of plastics, paints, adhesives, and synthetic fibers. In the plastics industry, it plays an important role as a solvent that helps to dissolve and shape PVC, supporting the production of high-durability plastic products.
In the paint and printing ink industry, this chemical is used as a solvent component to help control viscosity, create adhesion, and improve surface quality after painting or printing. In particular, it contributes to enhancing the dispersion of color in printing inks, helping to create products with high sharpness.
The synthetic fiber industry also applies this compound in the synthesis of adipic acid – an important raw material for producing nylon. The use of this substance helps to ensure that the chemical reaction process takes place effectively, creating nylon fibers with good strength and elasticity.
In addition, in the field of producing adhesives and industrial detergents, this chemical is utilized to dissolve chemical components, helping to improve the adhesion of glue and enhance the cleaning ability of detergent solutions.
4. How does Cyclohexanone affect workers?
When exposed to this chemical in the work environment, workers can experience many negative health effects, depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Inhaling the solvent vapor for a long time can cause respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. At higher concentrations, it can affect the central nervous system, causing loss of balance, memory impairment, and reduced ability to concentrate.
Direct contact with the skin can cause irritation, causing the skin to become dry, cracked, or develop contact dermatitis. If it gets into the eyes, this chemical can cause redness, tearing, and severe irritation. In some cases of prolonged exposure, workers are at risk of developing liver and kidney diseases as the body absorbs the chemical through the respiratory tract or skin, leading to dysfunction of these organs.
In addition, working in a confined or poorly ventilated space can increase the risk of poisoning due to the accumulation of solvent vapor in the air. This can lead to prolonged fatigue, affecting the work performance and overall health of the workers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Cyclohexanone for human exposure
The maximum permissible exposure limit for cyclohexanone in the work environment is regulated by international and national standards to protect worker health. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour workday is 50 ppm (200 mg/m³). Similarly, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) also recommends a threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm.
In Vietnam, the National Technical Regulation QCVN 03:2019/BYT specifies the permissible exposure limits for 50 chemical factors at the workplace. However, this list does not specifically mention cyclohexanone. Therefore, the application of international standards such as those from OSHA and ACGIH can be considered to ensure safety for workers.
In addition, regular monitoring of the cyclohexanone concentration in the air at the workplace is necessary to ensure that the permissible limit is not exceeded.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Cyclohexanone. 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 minimize the effects of Cyclohexanone on worker health
To minimize the effects of this chemical on worker health, it is necessary to apply a combination of many control measures, from technical to occupational safety management. One of the most important measures is to improve the ventilation system in the factory, which helps to reduce the concentration of solvent vapor in the air. Local and general ventilation systems should be installed in work areas with a high risk of chemical vapor dispersal, to limit accumulation in the air and ensure a safe working environment.
In addition to ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment is essential to protect workers from the direct effects of the chemical. Specialized respirators capable of filtering solvent vapors, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and specialized clothing help to limit exposure through the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This equipment needs to be inspected and replaced periodically to ensure its protective effectiveness.
Safe work procedures also play an important role in minimizing the risk of exposure. Workers need to be fully trained on how to handle, store, and use the chemical safely, including response measures in case of a leak or accident. In addition, there should be specific regulations on the continuous working time in an environment with the chemical to limit exposure time, and at the same time, periodic health checks should be organized to detect early signs of health effects.
Monitoring and measuring the concentration of solvent vapor in the air is an important measure to ensure the work environment is always within safe limits. The use of gas sensor devices or periodic testing by chemical analysis methods helps to detect potential risks early, thereby allowing for timely corrective measures. International occupational safety standards and regulations from domestic management agencies also need to be strictly applied to protect the health of workers during the work process.
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 needs to 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 the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Occupational Environment Monitoring
The Occupational Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the working environment. 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 personnel, 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 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. Price Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our valued customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It includes all costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Valued 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 also always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation, valued customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We commit to bringing you the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
