Working environment factors
How does Lithium hydroxide affect workers’ health?
Nov
Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is an important chemical in many industries, but long-term exposure can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will help you understand the health risks and how to protect yourself when working with lithium hydroxide.
1. What is Lithium hydroxide?
The chemical formula LiOH represents an inorganic compound, consisting of two main elements: lithium (Li) and hydroxide (OH). It is a strong alkali, known for its good solubility in water, creating a highly alkaline solution. This substance usually appears as a white powder or small pellets and is highly hygroscopic.
With a simple chemical structure of one lithium atom combined with one hydroxide group (OH), LiOH plays an important role in many industrial processes, especially in the production of lithium batteries, exhaust gas treatment, and the manufacturing of other chemical compounds. In particular, it is also used in the glass manufacturing industry, as an additive in other chemical processes, and even in research on the chemical reactions of lithium.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Liti hydroxit | Lithium hydroxide | 28252000 | 1310-65-2 | LiOH |
See more chemical safety training services according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Lithium hydroxide originate from in the production process?
In the industrial production process, lithium hydroxide is mainly generated from the reaction between lithium carbonate and water or other acids. When lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) reacts with water, it produces lithium hydroxide and carbonic acid; this process is one of the main methods for producing LiOH. Another common reaction is the interaction of lithium chloride with strong alkalis such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), forming lithium hydroxide and sodium chloride.
In addition, lithium hydroxide can also be generated during the processing of lithium-containing minerals, especially from lithium mines or during the extraction and processing of minerals such as spodumene and lepidolite. When these minerals are treated with heat or by chemical methods, lithium hydroxide can be separated out as a byproduct. In the lithium battery industry, the production of lithium hydroxide is very important, as it is the main raw material for manufacturing the cathode of lithium-ion batteries.
From these sources, lithium hydroxide is not only used in the energy industries but also in other applications such as the production of detergents, manufacturing of chemical compounds, and exhaust gas treatment.
3. Industries that use Lithium hydroxide in production
Lithium hydroxide is widely used in many manufacturing industries due to its special properties. One of the most important industries that use this substance is the production of lithium-ion batteries. In the energy industry, lithium hydroxide is the main raw material for manufacturing the cathode of batteries, especially in applications such as electric vehicles and mobile electronic devices. Lithium battery technology is becoming increasingly popular, leading to a high demand for lithium hydroxide in the production of these types of batteries.
Besides the electronics and energy industries, lithium hydroxide is also used in the glass industry. This substance is used to adjust the alkalinity in the production of special glass, in order to improve the mechanical properties and durability of the product. Lithium hydroxide also helps to increase the resistance of glass to abrasion and environmental factors, especially in applications such as automotive glass and construction glass.
In the chemical industry, lithium hydroxide plays an important role in the production of other lithium compounds such as lithium stearate, which is used in lubricants and anti-rust agents. At the same time, this substance is also used in the exhaust gas treatment industry, especially for absorbing CO2 in the exhaust gas reduction systems of industrial plants.
In addition, lithium hydroxide also appears in other industries such as the production of medicines, detergents, and in chemical research processes.
4. How does Lithium hydroxide affect workers?
When exposed to lithium hydroxide, workers can experience many negative health effects if occupational safety measures are not followed. This substance has strong corrosive properties, especially for the skin and eyes. If the substance comes into contact with the skin, it can cause irritation, redness, or burns, and even damage tissues with prolonged contact or at high concentrations. For the eyes, lithium hydroxide can cause severe irritation, leading to redness, tearing, and in cases of direct contact, can result in serious damage to the cornea.
In addition, when inhaling the dust or vapor of lithium hydroxide in the work environment, workers may experience respiratory problems. Common symptoms can include coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest pain. In severe cases, with long-term exposure or in high-concentration environments, lithium hydroxide can cause lung damage and serious respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure can lead to chronic bronchitis or other respiratory issues.
Besides the direct effects on the skin and respiratory system, lithium hydroxide can also cause unwanted effects on the nervous system if workers are exposed to this substance for a long time without proper protection. Symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, can lead to poisoning.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Lithium hydroxide for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration for exposure to lithium hydroxide depends on international occupational safety standards and guidelines from health regulatory agencies, such as OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). According to these standards, the concentration of lithium hydroxide in the workplace air should not exceed the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) to protect the health of workers.
Specifically, for lithium hydroxide, the PEL in the air is recommended not to exceed 2 mg/m³ over an 8-hour workday. This concentration is considered safe to avoid negative health effects, including respiratory problems and skin damage. However, this level may vary depending on the regulations of each country or region, and may also change based on factors such as humidity, temperature, and working conditions.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Lithium hydroxide. 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 impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the impact of Lithium hydroxide on workers’ health
To minimize the impact of lithium hydroxide on workers’ health, it is necessary to implement a number of strict prevention and protection measures in the workplace. One of the most important measures is to control the concentration of lithium hydroxide in the air. Ensuring a good ventilation system helps to reduce the concentration of dust and vapor of this substance, preventing workers from inhaling lithium hydroxide particles in the air. Local ventilation devices such as exhaust fans and air filtration systems can help minimize exposure in the workspace.
In addition, workers must use adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as specialized masks, chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and full-body protective clothing when working with lithium hydroxide. Protective masks should be capable of filtering fine dust and chemical vapors, while gloves and safety glasses help protect the skin and eyes from direct contact with this substance. Full-body protective suits help to minimize the risk of exposure to lithium hydroxide, especially in high-concentration work environments or when working for long periods.
Implementing occupational safety training programs and raising awareness for workers is also an important measure. Workers need to be instructed on how to identify risks, preventive measures, and how to handle incidents related to lithium hydroxide. They also need to understand the procedures for handling situations where they come into contact with this substance or are exposed to it in the work environment.
Finally, regular health check-ups for workers are essential. Health tests and lung examinations can help to detect early signs of overexposure to lithium hydroxide, allowing for timely intervention. Companies also need to establish emergency and prevention procedures in case of an incident to ensure the safety of workers when working with this substance.
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 should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, and thereby adjust to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Occupational 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 to ensure accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the occupational environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer 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 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 and specialized 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 receive the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quality and reasonably priced quotation for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information on the pricing 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 are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to provide consultation and answer any questions about our 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 our customers the highest satisfaction with professional quality service.
