Working environment factors
How does Sodium azide affect workers’ health?
Dec
Sodium azide (NaN3) is a hazardous chemical that can cause many adverse health effects for workers in manufacturing plants. This article will help you understand the harmful effects of sodium azide on health and provide effective protective measures to minimize risks.
1. What is Sodium azide?
The chemical formula NaN3 represents a compound containing a sodium atom (Na) and three nitrogen atoms (N). It is a white, inorganic compound, usually in crystalline form. Sodium azide is known for its highly explosive properties when subjected to impact or high temperatures. This chemical is primarily used in industrial applications, including the production of the explosive gas in automotive airbags, while in the chemical industry, it is used to synthesize other azide compounds.
This substance is readily soluble in water and is highly reactive, capable of interacting with metals and organic compounds. Although sodium azide has many industrial applications, its toxic and hazardous nature requires strict protective measures when used in manufacturing plants.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Natri azid | Sodium azide | 28500000 | 26628-22-8 | NaN3 |
See more chemical safety training services according to Decree 113/2017/ND-CP
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2. Where does Sodium azide originate from in the production process?
In the production process, sodium azide is primarily generated from chemical reactions using sodium and nitrogen-containing compounds. One of the main sources of sodium azide is when automotive airbag manufacturers carry out the process of creating the explosive gas. In this procedure, sodium azide is used to rapidly and effectively produce nitrogen gas (N2). The chemical reaction between sodium azide and other substances, such as water or acids, can create an explosive gas, making sodium azide the main reactant in the production of the safety gas for airbags.
Additionally, sodium azide can also be generated in the chemical industry, where it is used to synthesize other organic or inorganic compounds.
3. Industries that use Sodium azide in production
Sodium azide is used in several industrial sectors, mainly those that require the application of chemicals to create explosive reactions or to act as an intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds. One of the industries that uses sodium azide the most is the manufacturing of automotive airbags. In the production of airbags, sodium azide is used to generate nitrogen gas that explodes quickly upon impact, helping the airbag to inflate instantly to protect the driver and passengers.
Besides the automotive industry, sodium azide is also used in the weapons industry, particularly in explosives or explosive mixtures. This chemical is also used in research and development of products in laboratories, especially in the synthesis of organic compounds containing the azide group. In the medical field, sodium azide may be used in some biological and chemical tests, but in small quantities and under strict control.
4. How does Sodium azide affect workers?
Sodium azide can seriously affect the health of workers if adequate protective measures are not in place. This chemical is a potent poison that can cause damage to many organs in the body when workers come into contact with it through the skin, inhalation, or ingestion. One of the most direct and dangerous effects of sodium azide is its ability to cause acute poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning can include headache, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. In cases of long-term exposure or at high concentrations, sodium azide can cause damage to the nervous and cardiovascular systems, increasing the risk of heart and nervous system diseases.
In addition, when in contact with sodium azide, workers may also experience skin problems such as irritation, rashes, or skin burns due to the corrosive nature of this chemical. Inhaling dust or vapor of sodium azide in the work environment can cause serious damage to the respiratory system, leading to diseases such as pneumonia or bronchial problems. In particular, sodium azide can also be toxic to the digestive system if ingested, with symptoms such as abdominal pain and digestive disorders.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Sodium azide for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of sodium azide for human exposure is regulated by occupational safety and health standards. The World Health Organization (WHO) and international occupational safety agencies have established safety limits to minimize the risk of poisoning when exposed to this chemical. According to these standards, the concentration of sodium azide in the air should not exceed 0.1 mg/m³ over an 8-hour work shift to ensure worker health. This is the concentration level considered safe, not causing serious health effects if protective measures and monitoring of the work environment are followed.
However, this exposure level may vary depending on factors such as working time, method of contact, and the specific nature of the job.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Sodium azide. 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 Sodium azide on workers’ health
To minimize the impact of sodium azide on workers’ health, protective measures and control of the work environment must be strictly implemented. First, providing an adequate and effective ventilation system in production areas where sodium azide is used is extremely important. Good ventilation helps to reduce the concentration of the chemical in the air, preventing the accumulation of dust or vapor of sodium azide, thereby reducing the risk of workers inhaling them.
In addition, the use of personal protective equipment, such as toxic-dust masks, gloves, safety goggles, and chemical-resistant clothing, is a necessary measure to protect workers from direct contact with sodium azide. In particular, work areas with high concentrations of sodium azide should be equipped with early warning systems and gas concentration measuring devices to promptly detect leaks or exceeding of safety limits.
Besides personal and environmental protective measures, training workers on awareness and safe procedures when working with sodium azide is an essential factor. Workers need to be equipped with knowledge about the health risks associated with sodium azide, how to use protective equipment, and the steps to take in case of an incident.
Finally, regular health check-ups for workers in environments where sodium azide is used are also an indispensable part of the health protection strategy. These workers need to be monitored regularly to detect early signs of poisoning or chemical-induced damage, allowing for timely intervention.
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.
