Working environment factors
How does Copper(I) Chloride affect workers’ health?
May
In this article, we will explore the effects of Copper (I) chloride (CuCl) on the health of workers in factory production environments. Understanding this chemical is necessary to protect the health and safety of everyone.
1. What is Copper (I) chloride?
Copper(I) chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CuCl. Under normal conditions, it exists as a white solid. Copper(I) chloride has a cubic crystal structure, but this structure can change to hexagonal when heated to a temperature of 408 °C. Under high pressure (several GPa), CuCl can exist in several other crystal forms.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Đồng (I) clorua | Copper (I) chloride | 28273990 | 7758-89-6 | CuCl |
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2.Where does Copper (I) chloride originate from in the production process?
In the production process, copper(I) chloride (CuCl) can arise from several different sources. Below are the most common sources of formation:
Reaction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) with copper or copper(II) oxide (CuO): This is a common method for producing copper(I) chloride. When hydrochloric acid reacts with copper metal or copper(II) oxide under appropriate reducing conditions, copper(I) chloride will be formed. For example:
- Reaction between copper metal and hydrochloric acid: Cu + 2HCl (conc., hot) -> CuCl + H₂
- Reaction between copper(II) oxide and hydrochloric acid in the presence of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) as a reducing agent: CuO + 2HCl (conc., hot) + SO₂ -> CuCl + H₂SO₄
Byproduct in the production of other chloride compounds: Copper(I) chloride can be generated as an unwanted byproduct during the production of other chloride compounds. For example, during the electrolysis of salt solution (NaCl) to produce chlorine (Cl₂), a small amount of copper(I) chloride may form due to the corrosion of copper electrodes.
Corrosion of copper in an environment containing chloride: Copper(I) chloride can also be formed by the corrosion of copper in an environment containing chloride ions (Cl⁻). The seawater environment is a typical example, where copper is often corroded and forms copper(I) chloride.
3. Industries that use Copper (I) chloride in production
Copper(I) chloride (CuCl) is a less well-known chemical compound than Copper(II) chloride (CuCl2), but it still plays an important role in certain manufacturing industries. Specifically:
- Dyeing industry: Copper(I) chloride is used as a catalyst in the dyeing process for some types of fabrics. It helps improve the durability and colorfastness of the dye on the fabric fibers.
- Production of other copper compounds: Copper(I) chloride is one of the intermediate materials for producing other copper compounds with wider applications, for example, copper metal, copper(II) sulfate, copper(II) oxide.
- Metal surface treatment industry: Copper(I) chloride can be used in metal surface treatment processes to improve the adhesion of plating layers onto other metal surfaces.
- Scientific research: Copper(I) chloride is a chemical used in some scientific research fields, such as research on new materials, catalysis, and chemical reactions.
4. How does Copper (I) chloride affect workers?
If dust or vapor of Copper(I) chloride is inhaled, workers may experience respiratory problems such as nose and throat irritation, coughing, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, it can lead to pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). Contact with Copper(I) chloride on the skin can cause irritation, redness, and ulcers. If Copper(I) chloride is swallowed, it can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases, can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
In addition, long-term exposure to Copper(I) chloride can lead to more serious health problems, such as Wilson’s disease (a genetic liver disease related to the accumulation of copper in the liver), brain damage, and neurological problems. People frequently exposed to Copper(I) chloride are also at high risk of metal fume fever, a flu-like condition with symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Copper (I) chloride for human exposure
Copper (I) chloride is known for some toxic properties if contacted directly or inhaled. Therefore, determining the permissible safe concentration (PSC) for human exposure is very important to protect health.
According to reputable occupational safety organizations, the PSC of Copper (I) chloride is often determined in the form of a maximum permissible concentration of dust or vapor in the air (permissible exposure limit – PEL) over a certain period. The PEL of Copper (I) chloride may vary depending on the standard-setting organization and the exposure duration.
Some reputable organizations and the PSC of Copper (I) chloride they provide are:
- ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists): 0.2 mg/m³ (time-weighted average exposure for 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week)
- NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): 1 mg/m³ (maximum exposure for 10 hours/day, 40 hours/week)
However, this PSC is only a guideline and may need to be adjusted based on the specific factors of the work environment, such as actual exposure time, worker activities, ventilation systems, and personal protective equipment (PPE) used.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Copper (I) chloride is important. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to mitigate the effects of Copper (I) chloride on worker health
Copper (I) chloride, despite its many industrial applications, is also a chemical that poses potential health risks to workers if directly exposed. To minimize these effects, it is necessary to implement both technical and medical measures simultaneously.
Regarding technical measures:
- Engineering controls: Prioritize the use of closed production processes, minimizing the dispersal of Copper (I) chloride dust into the environment. Build an effective ventilation system, extracting dust at the source of generation to ensure the concentration of Copper (I) chloride in the air is always at a safe level.
- Chemical substitution: If possible, research and apply alternative production methods, using chemicals that are less toxic than Copper (I) chloride.
- Equipment maintenance: Regularly maintain and periodically inspect production equipment to prevent leaks, helping production operations run safely and limiting incidents of exposure to Copper (I) chloride.
Regarding medical measures:
- Personal protective equipment: Provide workers with adequate protective equipment such as: safety goggles, appropriate dust/gas masks, chemical-resistant clothing, and chemical-resistant gloves. Periodically check the quality and expiration date of this equipment.
- Occupational safety training: Provide professional training for workers on safety knowledge when handling Copper (I) chloride, including its hazardous properties, safe use and handling of the chemical, and the correct procedures for putting on and taking off protective equipment.
- Periodic health check-ups: Conduct periodic health check-ups for workers exposed to Copper (I) chloride to monitor their health status, detect early signs of abnormalities, and take timely action.
By combining the technical and medical measures mentioned above, businesses can significantly reduce the health risks for workers when working with Copper (I) chloride, contributing to building a safe and healthy work environment.
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 compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide workplace environment monitoring center
Nam Viet’s workplace environment monitoring center is a professional unit specializing in 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.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports customers in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. 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 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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8. Workplace environment monitoring quotation
To help businesses perform workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a high-quality and reasonably priced quotation table for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation table provides detailed information about 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.
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