Ethyl lactate (C5H10O3) has emerged as an important factor in industry. However, what are its effects on the health of workers in the workplace? Let’s explore this issue in more depth in the article below.
1. What is Ethyl lactate?
Ethyl lactate is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C5H10O3. Also known by its full name ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, ethyl lactate is often used as a solvent, fragrance, and flavoring agent. This is due to its non-toxic nature and good miscibility with many other chemical solvents.
Ethyl lactate is produced through an esterification reaction between lactic acid and ethyl alcohol, where lactic acid is extracted from yogurt or from the natural fermentation of various other foods. This process creates a clear, colorless liquid with a mild odor.
| No. | Chemical name in Vietnamese | Chemical name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Etyl lactat | Ethyl lactate | 29181100 | 687-47-8 | C5H10O3 |
See more services chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Ethyl lactate originate from in the production process?
In the production process, ethyl lactate is produced through a series of complex steps from natural sources. It is usually produced through the esterification process between lactic acid and ethanol. Lactic acid, an organic acid that exists naturally in many food products and is also biosynthesized from sugar sources, plays a major role in this process.
First, lactic acid is produced through the fermentation of sugar sources, such as sugarcane or grains. Then, the lactic acid is further processed to purify and create a pure form. This process may include steps such as liquid separation, filtration, and additional purification to remove impurities.
Next, ethanol, a common organic compound used in many industries, including the food and pharmaceutical industries, is added to the purified lactic acid. The esterification process occurs when ethanol reacts with lactic acid under carefully controlled temperature and pressure conditions.

3. Industries that use Ethyl lactate in production
In many production fields, Ethyl lactate is widely used with various applications. One of the common industries using Ethyl lactate is the paint industry. Ethyl lactate is often used as a solvent in the production of paints and coatings. The non-toxic and low-irritant properties of Ethyl lactate make it a safe and effective choice for the paint production process.
The cosmetics industry is also one of the sectors that use Ethyl lactate. Ethyl lactate is often added to skincare products such as creams and facial cleansers due to its ability to gently soften and moisturize the skin. At the same time, the natural and non-irritating properties of Ethyl lactate are also a great benefit for this industry.
In addition, in the healthcare field, Ethyl lactate is also used in the production of medical products such as medicines and personal hygiene solutions. With its ability to dissolve water-soluble ingredients and its safety properties, Ethyl lactate plays an important role in creating quality and safe medical products for users.
4. How does Ethyl lactate affect workers?
Ethyl lactate is a useful compound in many industrial fields, but it also has negative impacts on workers’ health if not used correctly. To better understand how ethyl lactate affects workers, we need to consider factors such as the chemical properties of this substance and working conditions.
Ethyl lactate is an organic solvent, often used in cleaning, washing, and softening processes. However, when exposed to ethyl lactate in the air, workers can inhale this substance’s vapor, causing respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. If exposure is excessive or prolonged, ethyl lactate can also cause skin allergies and eye irritation.
Another important issue is the flammable and explosive nature of ethyl lactate. In an industrial environment, if safety regulations are not followed and personal protective equipment is not used correctly, ethyl lactate can pose a risk of explosion and fire. This is especially dangerous for those working in environments with a high risk of fire and explosion.
To minimize the risk to workers, safety measures must be implemented. This includes using appropriate personal protective equipment such as respirators, fire-resistant clothing, and protective gloves. In addition, it is necessary to comply with the factory’s safety regulations and train employees on how to use ethyl lactate safely and effectively.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Ethyl lactate for human exposure
The concentration of Ethyl lactate considered safe for human exposure is an important part of the risk assessment and chemical safety evaluation process. Ethyl lactate is a compound widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications, so determining its safety level is very important.
According to regulatory agencies and public health studies, the permissible safe concentration of Ethyl lactate for human exposure is often determined by toxicity studies and risk assessments. These studies typically involve determining a safety threshold based on the short-term and long-term toxicity of this compound.
Typically, regulatory agencies will establish a specific safety threshold for the use of Ethyl lactate in specific applications such as food, pharmaceuticals, or industrial products. For each type of application, the safety threshold may vary based on the route and duration of exposure.
Toxicity studies also often identify potential side effects that can occur upon exposure to Ethyl lactate at different levels. This includes both short-term effects like skin and eye irritation as well as long-term effects that can impact human health.

At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Ethyl lactate. 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 lactate on workers’ health
Measures to minimize the effects of Ethyl lactate on workers’ health are an important part of ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. Ethyl lactate, although considered an environmentally friendly solvent, still needs to be used carefully to avoid affecting the health of employees. Specific measures can be implemented to reduce the health impacts of Ethyl lactate on workers.
During the use of Ethyl lactate, limiting direct contact is an important measure. This can be achieved through the use of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and durable clothing to protect the skin and respiratory system from direct contact with this substance.
In addition, the use of effective exhaust and ventilation systems during work is also an important measure to minimize the inhalation of Ethyl lactate vapor. This way, the vapor is removed from the working air, reducing the risk of health effects on workers.
Furthermore, training and educating employees about the risks and preventive measures when working with Ethyl lactate is also an important part of the strategy to minimize health effects on workers. Employees need to be provided with the necessary knowledge and skills to recognize potential risks and know how to respond to them to protect themselves.
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 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, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the hazard level to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. Nationwide workplace environment monitoring center
Workplace environment monitoring center of Nam Viet 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.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports customers in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “customer is the center”, the center cares about 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 been and is becoming 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 things possible.
- Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with expertise and a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.

- Coming to the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service with experts in the field of monitoring. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses perform workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation table provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. Including 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 advise and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.

