Working environment factors
How does Furfural affect workers’ health?
Apr
Furfural (C5H4O2) is a common chemical in many industries, but few know that it poses many risks to the health of workers. This article will help you understand the harmful effects of furfural and how to protect yourself when working in an environment with this chemical.
1. What is Furfural?
Furfural, with the chemical formula C₅H₄O₂, is an organic compound belonging to the aromatic aldehyde group. In its pure state, furfural is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic almond-like odor. It is volatile and turns reddish-brown when exposed to light and air.
This compound is produced from the hydrolysis of pentose-containing polysaccharides (such as xylan) found in plant materials like corncobs, oat hulls, cottonseed hulls, rice hulls, and bagasse, under the action of dilute acid. This process creates pentose, which then dehydrates and converts into furfural.
Furfural is widely used in the chemical industry, primarily as a solvent in the petroleum refining process to extract dienes (used in the production of synthetic rubber) from other hydrocarbons. In addition, furfural is also used in the production of plastics, pesticides, and as a raw material for other chemicals.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Fufural | Furfural | 29321200 | 98-01-1 | C5H4O2 |
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2. Where does Furfural originate from during the production process?
During production, furfural is mainly generated from the processing of lignocellulosic biomass rich in hemicellulose, such as corncobs, oat hulls, wheat bran, and sawdust. The hemicellulose in these materials contains a high amount of pentosans, which, when hydrolyzed, produce pentose sugars like xylose. Under the action of acid, xylose undergoes dehydration and cyclization to form furfural.
The furfural production process typically includes two main stages: first, the hemicellulose is hydrolyzed into pentose sugars; then, these sugars are further dehydrated to produce furfural. The furfural and water are then separated from the reaction mixture through a distillation process.
Depending on the type of raw material used, about 3% to 10% of the material’s mass can be converted into furfural. Commonly used raw materials include corncobs, oat hulls, wheat bran, sawdust, bagasse, and other agricultural residues.
3. Industries that use Furfural in production
In the industrial sector, furfural is widely used in many different industries. In the petroleum industry, furfural is used as a selective solvent for refining lubricating oils and rosin, helping to improve the quality of these products. In addition, furfural plays an important role in the production of phenol-formaldehyde resins, which are used to manufacture products such as grinding wheels and heat-resistant materials.
In the chemical industry, furfural is the main raw material for the production of furfuryl alcohol, a compound used in the production of heat-resistant resins and adhesives. Furthermore, furfural is also used in the production of other furan compounds, such as furoic acid and tetrahydrofuran, which have applications in the production of solvents and plastics.
In the agricultural sector, furfural is used in the production of pesticides and fungicides, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. In addition, furfural is also used in the food industry to create flavors and as a preservative.
4. How does Furfural affect workers?
Exposure to furfural in the work environment can cause many health effects for workers. This compound can enter the body through the respiratory tract, skin contact, and digestion. Short-term exposure to furfural can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract, leading to symptoms such as headaches and dermatitis.
Exposure to furfural concentrations from 5 to 16 ppm has been reported to cause eye and respiratory irritation in workers. Long-term or repeated exposure can cause dry or cracked skin, affect the liver, and is potentially carcinogenic in laboratory animals.
Therefore, implementing personal protective measures and controlling the work environment is necessary to minimize the health risks associated with furfural.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Furfural for human exposure
In the work environment, controlling the concentration of furfural is very important to protect the health of workers. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for furfural at 5 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour work average, with a warning about the possibility of skin absorption. However, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a lower threshold limit value (TLV) of 2 ppm for the same period.
In Vietnam, Circular No. 29/2021/TT-BLDTBXH of the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs has established occupational exposure limits (OELs) for 80 chemicals in the work environment, including furfural. Accordingly, the OEL for furfural is set at 5 ppm for an 8-hour average and 10 ppm for a 15-minute period.
NOTE: Information is for reference only!
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Furfural. 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 effects of Furfural on worker health
To minimize the effects of furfural on worker health, appropriate technical and management measures should be applied. First, maintaining an effective ventilation system in the work area helps to remove furfural vapor, reducing the concentration of this substance in the air. In addition, applying a closed production process and controlling dust at the source can limit the spread of furfural into the 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 proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Occupational Environment Monitoring
The Occupational Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit for 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 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 commits to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and personnel, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of occupational 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 our customers with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with expertise and 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 Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our valued customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It includes all costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Valued 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 also always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation, valued customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We commit to bringing you the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
