Working environment factors
How does Ethylamine (Ethanamine) affect workers’ health?
Apr
Ethylamine (Ethanamine – C2H7N) is a chemical commonly found in many industries, but few are aware of its potential effects on workers’ health. This article will help you understand the level of danger and how to protect yourself when working with this chemical.
1. What is Ethylamine (Ethanamine)?
Ethylamine, also known as ethanamine, is an organic compound belonging to the amine group with the chemical formula C₂H₇N and the structural formula CH₃CH₂NH₂. The ethylamine molecule is formed when one hydrogen atom in an ammonia molecule (NH₃) is replaced by an ethyl group (CH₃CH₂).
Under normal conditions, ethylamine exists as a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent, ammonia-like odor. It is readily soluble in water and many other organic solvents. Ethylamine is a weak base, with a pKₐ of about 10.8, and can react with acids to form corresponding salts.
Furthermore, ethylamine is a typical nucleophilic base, participating in many chemical reactions such as reacting with acids to form ethylammonium salts, alkylation with alkyl halides, and reaction with acyl chlorides to form amides.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Etyl amin (Etan amin) | Ethylamine (Ethanamine) | 29211900 | 75-04-7 | C2H7N |
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2. What are the sources of Ethylamine (Ethanamine) in the production process?
In industrial production, ethylamine is commonly synthesized through the reaction of ethanol and ammonia in the presence of an oxide catalyst. This reaction produces ethylamine along with by-products such as diethylamine and triethylamine.
Another method for producing ethylamine is the reductive amination of acetaldehyde, where acetaldehyde reacts with ammonia and hydrogen to form ethylamine and water.
Additionally, ethylamine can be produced by the hydrogenation of acetonitrile or nitroethane; however, these methods are less commonly used due to high costs and low yields.
In some cases, ethylamine can also be produced from the reaction between ethylene and ammonia in the presence of a base catalyst such as sodium amide.
3. Industries that use Ethylamine (Ethanamine) in production
Ethylamine is widely used in various industries.
In the pharmaceutical industry, it plays a crucial role in the synthesis of active ingredients and drugs, including antibiotics and cardiovascular medications, thanks to its ability to improve the solubility and bioavailability of pharmaceutical substances.
In the agricultural sector, ethylamine is a key component in the production of herbicides such as atrazine and simazine, which help effectively control weeds.
Furthermore, ethylamine is used in the rubber industry to produce vulcanization accelerators and antioxidants, improving the mechanical properties and durability of rubber products. In the plastics industry, ethylamine acts as a catalyst in the production of polyurethane foam, an important material in the manufacturing of mattresses, seating, and insulation materials.
Moreover, ethylamine is also used in the production of dyes, serving as an intermediate in the synthesis of color compounds. In the field of petroleum refining, ethylamine is used as a stabilizer and in solvent extraction processes, helping to remove unwanted impurities from crude oil.
4. How does Ethylamine (Ethanamine) affect workers?
Workers exposed to ethylamine can experience various health effects.
Inhaling ethylamine gas causes severe irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract, leading to coughing, difficulty breathing, and a sore throat.
Skin contact with liquid ethylamine can cause chemical burns and dermatitis.
Eye contact with ethylamine can cause severe irritation and corneal damage.
Long-term or repeated exposure can cause chronic bronchitis and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Additionally, exposure to ethylamine vapor can cause temporary visual disturbances such as blurred vision and halos around lights.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Ethylamine (Ethanamine) for human exposure
Currently, specific information regarding the safe exposure concentration for Ethylamine (Ethanamine) has not been found in Vietnamese legal documents. Therefore, determining the safe exposure level for Ethylamine (Ethanamine) requires referencing international standards and best practices in the industry.
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for ethylamine is 10 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to 18 mg/m³, as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also recommends a similar exposure limit, with a 10-hour time-weighted average exposure of 10 ppm (18 mg/m³).
However, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) suggests a lower threshold limit value (TLV), with an average of 5 ppm (9.2 mg/m³) and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 15 ppm (27.6 mg/m³).
Furthermore, the concentration considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) for ethylamine is 600 ppm.
Adhering to these limits helps minimize the risk of negative health effects on workers exposed to ethylamine during production.
Basically, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Ethylamine (Ethanamine). 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 health effects of Ethylamine (Ethanamine) on workers
To protect workers’ health when working with ethylamine, engineering control measures must be implemented to minimize the concentration of ethylamine in the air. This includes installing effective ventilation systems and using local exhaust ventilation at the source of emission. Additionally, monitoring the work environment with gas detection devices helps in the timely detection of ethylamine concentrations exceeding permissible limits, allowing for appropriate action.
Workers must be provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and appropriate protective clothing. Proper and consistent use of this equipment helps prevent direct contact of ethylamine with the body, minimizing the risk of harm.
Regular training and education on chemical safety are crucial. Workers need to be instructed on the hazardous properties of ethylamine, how to use protective equipment, and procedures for handling related incidents. Full awareness of the risks and preventive measures helps them work more safely and effectively.
Furthermore, risk assessments and regular health check-ups for workers should be conducted. Health monitoring helps in the early detection of any signs of effects from ethylamine, allowing for timely intervention to ensure the safety and health of the workforce.
Occupational Safety Training: Workers need to be trained and educated about the risks and safety measures when working with this chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper adherence to 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 Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Workplace Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit specializing in the monitoring and measurement of workplace environment quality 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 clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the workplace environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all client 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:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
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- With a team of experienced and professional Masters and Engineers, we aim to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- By choosing the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. You will also get the best cost incentives.
8. Workplace Environment Monitoring Price Quote
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our clients a quality and reasonably priced service price list for workplace environment monitoring.
- Our monitoring price list provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and result reporting. Clients can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
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- With Nam Viet’s monitoring price list, clients can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our clients the highest satisfaction with our professional service quality.
