This article will help you understand the impact of Ethyl chloracetate (C4H7O2Cl) on the health of workers in manufacturing plants. Learn how this chemical affects you and how to protect yourself when working in an industrial environment.
1. What is Ethyl chloracetate?
Ethyl chloracetate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula C4H7O2Cl. Also known as chloroacetic acid ethyl ester, it is the ester of chloroacetic acid and ethanol. The chemical formula of ethyl chloracetate indicates that its molecule consists of four carbon atoms, seven hydrogen atoms, two oxygen atoms, and one chlorine atom. This shows the presence of different functional groups in the molecule, creating the diverse properties and applications of this substance.
Ethyl chloracetate typically exists as a colorless liquid with an odor similar to oranges. This makes it commonly used in applications involving fragrance, such as in the flavor and cosmetics industries. Additionally, ethyl chloracetate is also a solvent that is soluble in water, ethanol, and many other organic solvents, which makes it favored in production and the chemical industry.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Etyl clo axetat | Ethyl chloracetate | 29154000 | 105-39-5 | C4H7O2Cl |
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2.Where does Ethyl chloracetate originate from in the production process?
Ethyl chloracetate (ECA) is formed as an unwanted byproduct during the production process of other compounds. The main production process of ECA usually involves the esterification reaction between chloroacetic acid and ethanol. However, this reaction can also produce other products such as acetic acid and diethyl ether. The proportion of ECA in the final product depends on many factors such as the catalyst, reaction temperature, and reaction time.
Additionally, ECA can also be formed in some other industrial production processes, such as the production of dyes, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. In these cases, ECA is often not the desired product and needs to be removed from the final product to meet quality and safety requirements.

3. Industries that use Ethyl chloracetate in production
Ethyl chloracetate is an organic compound that plays an important role in many industrial production fields. Here are two main applications of Ethyl chloracetate:
Chemical industry: Ethyl chloracetate acts as a solvent in the organic synthesis process. A solvent is a necessary substance to dissolve reactants, creating favorable conditions for chemical reactions to occur. The properties of Ethyl chloracetate allow it to dissolve many different organic compounds well, so it is widely used in organic synthesis reactions, producing chemical compounds of commercial value.
Pesticide production industry: Ethyl chloracetate is one of the important intermediates in the production of some types of pesticides. A typical example is Sodium fluoroacetate, a highly effective but also very toxic pesticide. Therefore, the production of pesticides using Ethyl chloracetate needs to be strictly controlled to ensure safety and avoid environmental pollution.
4. How does Ethyl chloracetate affect workers
Ethyl chloracetate is a chemical compound widely used in production and chemical industry processes. However, exposure to ethyl chloracetate can potentially affect the health of workers. The chemical properties of ethyl chloracetate make it capable of causing irritation to the skin and eyes upon direct contact. Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause skin problems such as inflammation, bleeding, or skin irritation.
Furthermore, ethyl chloracetate can cause respiratory problems if workers inhale the vapor or dust of this substance. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. In cases of severe exposure, ethyl chloracetate can cause more serious problems such as pneumonia or respiratory organ damage.
For workers in environments with exposure to ethyl chloracetate, adhering to safety and health protection measures is extremely important. This includes using personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and safety glasses when in contact with this substance. In addition, it is necessary to follow safe work procedures and receive training on how to handle this substance to minimize the risk of unwanted exposure and occupational accidents.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Ethyl chloracetate for human exposure
Ethyl chloracetate (ECA) is a chemical that can cause serious health effects if exposed to at high concentrations. To ensure the safety of workers during the production, transportation, storage, and use of ECA, occupational health agencies have issued regulations on the permissible exposure limit (PEL). This concentration is defined as the maximum level of ECA a person can be exposed to over a certain period without causing long-term health harm.
In Vietnam, there are currently no specific regulations on the permissible exposure limit for ECA. However, we can refer to the standards of reputable international organizations such as ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). ACGIH has not yet included ECA in the list of chemical substances with Threshold Limit Values (TLV).

At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Ethyl chloroacetate. 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 minimize the effects of Ethyl chloracetate on worker health
Measures to minimize the effects of Ethyl chloracetate on worker health are an important part of the occupational safety process in a production or industrial environment. Ethyl chloracetate is an organic compound widely used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, it also carries risks to the health of those who work in direct contact with it.
To minimize the negative impacts of Ethyl chloracetate on worker health, implementing safety measures is extremely important. First, it is necessary to have appropriate personal protective measures such as wearing safety glasses, respirators, and protective clothing to prevent direct contact with Ethyl chloracetate.
In addition, the use of safety equipment and effective ventilation systems during work also plays an important role in minimizing the effects of Ethyl chloracetate. Ensuring the workspace is well-ventilated and limiting prolonged exposure to its vapors is an effective way to protect employee health.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about 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 organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze harmful factors for 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 monitoring specialists with extensive experience, 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 monitoring 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 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.
- We provide customers with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- 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. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quotation for workplace environment monitoring services that is high-quality and reasonably priced.
- Our quotation 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.
- We commit to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to consult and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.

