Working environment factors
How does Dinitro Benzen affect workers’ health?
Apr
Dinitro Benzen (C₆H₄(NO₂)₂) is a hazardous chemical commonly found in manufacturing plants. This article will reveal its serious effects on worker health and the reasons why strict protective measures are necessary.
1. What is Dinitro Benzen?
Dinitro Benzen (DNB) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₄(NO₂)₂, consisting of a benzene ring bonded to two nitro groups (-NO₂). This compound exists in three positional isomers, depending on the position of the nitro groups on the benzene ring: 1,2-dinitro benzen(ortho-dinitro benzen), 1,3-dinitro benzen(meta-dinitro benzen), and 1,4-dinitro benzen(para-dinitro benzen). Each isomer has distinct physical and chemical properties, which affect their applications and toxicity levels.
Among the three isomers, 1,3-dinitro benzenis the most commonly used, especially in the production of explosives and dyes. This compound is a yellow crystalline solid, insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. The production of 1,3-dinitro benzenis typically achieved through the nitration of nitrobenzene using sulfuric acid as a catalyst.
Due to its toxic nature and potential harm to human health, the handling and use of Dinitro Benzen require caution and strict adherence to occupational safety measures. Exposure to Dinitro Benzen can cause serious health problems, including effects on the nervous system and blood. Therefore, a clear understanding of the structure, properties, and applications of Dinitro Benzen is crucial to ensure safety in the workplace.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Dinitro benzen | Dinitro Benzen | 29042090 | 528-29-0; 99-65-0 |
C₆H₄(NO₂)₂ |
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2. Where does Dinitro Benzen originate from in the production process?
In industrial production, the compound with the chemical formula C₆H₄O₄N₂ typically arises from nitration reactions between nitrobenzene and concentrated nitric acid, catalyzed by sulfuric acid. This is a common process in the manufacturing of explosives, dyes, plastics, and various organic intermediates. This process creates different isomers of Dinitro Benzen, with the 1,3-dinitro benzen form being the most widely used due to its chemical stability and broad applications.
Other sources can come from the processing of chemical intermediates in production lines, where nitro compounds may be oxidized or undergo side reactions to form Dinitro Benzen as a byproduct. Additionally, in some cases, it can also be formed from the thermal decomposition or reaction of substances containing nitro groups under uncontrolled conditions, especially in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. These activities can occur during the production of dyes, detergents, or other specialty chemicals.
3. Industries that use Dinitro Benzen in production
The chemical with the formula C₆H₄O₄N₂ is primarily used in several heavy and specialty chemical industries where nitro compounds are needed as intermediate raw materials. In the explosives manufacturing industry, it serves as a crucial intermediate component in the synthesis of powerful explosives like TNT (trinitrotoluene). The strong reactive properties of this compound make it an ideal raw material for producing highly explosive substances.
Additionally, the dye industry is another field that frequently uses this compound. It is used to synthesize azo dyes and other organic pigments due to its ability to create durable and diverse colors. In the rubber and plastics manufacturing industry, this chemical is applied as an intermediate to create plasticizers and additives that enhance the mechanical properties of the product.
Some specialized manufacturing sectors for detergents, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals may also use this compound in intermediate synthesis steps. Due to its specific chemical properties, its use is often limited to processes that require high technical skills and tightly controlled conditions.
4. How does Dinitro Benzen affect workers?
When workers are exposed to the organic compound C₆H₄(NO₂)₂ in an industrial environment, their health can be severely affected. This compound can enter the body through inhalation, skin contact, or mucous membrane contact. One of the main effects is a reduction in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to a condition where the skin turns a bluish-purple color (cyanosis). Prolonged exposure can cause anemia, with symptoms such as headache, nausea, and dizziness.
Furthermore, this compound is also toxic to the nervous system and the male reproductive system. Exposure to high concentrations can cause nerve damage and affect reproductive function. Moreover, this compound can persist in the environment for a long time, creating a risk of exposure through respiration and skin contact.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Dinitro Benzen for human exposure
Currently, no specific information on safe exposure concentrations for Dinitro Benzen has been found in Vietnamese legal documents. Therefore, determining the safe level of exposure to Dinitro Benzen requires reference to international standards and good industry practices.
According to international regulatory agencies and health organizations, the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for Dinitro Benzen are specified as follows:
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 1 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends an exposure limit (REL) of 1 mg/m³ as a 10-hour time-weighted average.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) proposes a threshold limit value (TLV) of 0.15 ppm (equivalent to 1 mg/m³) as an 8-hour average, with a notation for skin absorption potential.
In New Zealand, WorkSafe specifies a workplace exposure standard (WES) for m-dinitro benzenof 0.15 ppm (1 mg/m³) as an 8-hour average, with a note on skin absorption potential.
These values are established to protect workers from the harmful effects of dinitro benzen. Due to the significant skin absorption potential of this chemical, protective measures such as the use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls are very important to minimize exposure.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Dinitro Benzen. Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide safety guidelines and principles to protect workers from the negative effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the effects of Dinitro Benzen on worker health
To protect the health of workers from the harmful effects of the compound C₆H₄(NO₂)₂, implementing control and preventive measures is very important.
First, an effective ventilation system should be installed at the workplace to minimize the concentration of chemical vapors in the air, helping to limit the risk of inhalation.
Additionally, providing adequate personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant clothing is necessary to prevent direct contact through the skin and eyes.
Furthermore, training employees on safe handling procedures and awareness of the risks associated with this chemical plays a crucial role in enhancing awareness and prevention skills.
Conducting periodic workplace environment monitoring helps to detect the presence of the chemical early and to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures.
In the event of a spill, having a rapid and effective response procedure to handle and clean up the affected area is necessary to minimize exposure risks for workers.
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 should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically conduct workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Workplace Environment Monitoring
The workplace environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit for supervising and measuring the quality of the working environment in all provinces across Vietnam. With a team of experienced 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 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 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 workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
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- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with 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 workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced price list for workplace environment monitoring services.
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