Working environment factors
How does Nickel tetracarbonyl affect workers’ health?
Dec
Nickel tetracarbonyl (Ni(CO)4) is a hazardous chemical commonly used in manufacturing plants. Long-term exposure to this substance can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will help you better understand the harmful effects and how to prevent them when working with this chemical.
1. What is Nickel tetracarbonyl?
Ni(CO)4 is a chemical compound consisting of nickel (Ni) combined with four carbon monoxide (CO) molecules. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinctive odor, often used in the manufacturing industry, especially in the production of alloys and catalysts. The chemical formula Ni(CO)4 shows that each nickel atom is bonded to four carbon monoxide molecules through covalent bonds, forming a specific structure. This compound evaporates quickly and is toxic, so it must be handled carefully in industrial environments.
Ni(CO)4 is easily decomposed when exposed to air or high temperatures, producing toxic nickel compounds and carbon dioxide. Due to its volatility and strong reactivity with environmental factors, this compound is often considered one of the chemicals with great potential harm to workers’ health if not used and stored properly.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Niken tetra carbonyl | Nickel tetracarbonyl | 28530000 | 13463-39-3 | Ni(CO)4 |
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2. Where does Nickel tetracarbonyl originate from in the production process?
During the production process, Ni(CO)4 can be generated from chemical reactions between nickel and carbon monoxide in an environment with suitable temperature and pressure. When nickel is used in metal processing or in industries such as alloy production, semiconductor materials, or catalyst manufacturing, the reaction between nickel and CO can produce nickel tetracarbonyl.
The sources of Ni(CO)4 mainly come from metal processing stages, where nickel is used as a raw material or alloy. In manufacturing plants, especially in the presence of carbon monoxide, high-temperature conditions or an oxygen-deficient atmosphere can create this compound. Additionally, the production of electronic components or processes in chemical plants can also be sources of Ni(CO)4.
Direct exposure to carbon monoxide gas or nickel-containing substances in these steps can lead to the formation of Ni(CO)4 if preventive measures are not properly implemented.
3. Industries that use Nickel tetracarbonyl in production
Ni(CO)4 is used in many industries, particularly in production processes related to nickel and its alloys. One of the main industries using this compound is the alloy manufacturing industry, where Ni(CO)4 is used to create nickel-cobalt or nickel-chromium alloys, which are used in products requiring high thermal stability and corrosion resistance.
In addition, nickel tetracarbonyl is also used in the electronics industry, especially in the production of semiconductor components. In these processes, Ni(CO)4 can be used to create a nickel plating layer on electronic components, thanks to its ability to form precise and stable thin films. This compound is also used in the catalyst manufacturing industry, where it plays an important role in promoting the chemical reactions necessary for production processes.
Some other industries that may use Ni(CO)4 include the chemical processing industry and the production of heat-resistant materials, as well as in the manufacturing of high-precision machine parts.
4. How does Nickel tetracarbonyl affect workers?
When workers are exposed to Ni(CO)4, this compound can cause serious health effects. Due to its volatility and ability to be absorbed through the skin or respiratory system, Ni(CO)4 can enter a worker’s body through inhalation or direct contact. These effects can cause immediate or long-term health problems, depending on the level and duration of exposure.
When inhaling Ni(CO)4 gas, workers may experience symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and respiratory problems. If exposure is prolonged, this compound can cause serious lung-related diseases, including pneumonia or decreased respiratory function. In addition, Ni(CO)4 can also cause systemic poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can cause acute poisoning, affecting the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Furthermore, long-term exposure to Ni(CO)4 also increases the risk of developing cancer, especially cancers related to the respiratory and digestive systems. Nickel, a major component in Ni(CO)4, has been identified as a human carcinogen with long-term exposure at high concentrations.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Nickel tetracarbonyl for human exposure
When working with Ni(CO)4, international occupational safety organizations have specified a maximum safe concentration that workers can be exposed to during a work shift without facing serious health risks. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a maximum concentration of Ni(CO)4 in the air of 0.1 mg/m³ for an 8-hour workday. This is the maximum permissible limit that a worker can inhale under normal working conditions without causing serious health effects.
In addition, studies also indicate that prolonged exposure to Ni(CO)4, even below the permissible limit, can still have negative health effects, especially on the respiratory and nervous systems.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Nickel tetracarbonyl. 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 Nickel tetracarbonyl on workers’ health
To minimize the impact of Ni(CO)4 on workers’ health, strict protective and control measures in the workplace are crucial. One of the first effective measures is to ensure adequate ventilation in areas where Ni(CO)4 is present. A good ventilation system helps remove toxic gases and maintain a safe concentration of the compound in the air, minimizing the risk of inhalation.
In addition, providing adequate personal protective equipment such as toxic gas masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing is essential to prevent Ni(CO)4 from entering the body through the respiratory tract and skin. Workers must be trained on how to use and maintain this equipment to achieve maximum effectiveness in protecting their health.
Regular health check-ups are an important measure to help detect early signs of poisoning or diseases caused by Ni(CO)4. People working in environments with this compound need to be monitored regularly to promptly detect health problems and take timely action.
Furthermore, establishing safe production and use procedures for Ni(CO)4 is also a critical factor. Factories and production facilities must comply with occupational safety regulations, implement strict controls on the concentration of Ni(CO)4 in the air, and tightly control the storage and handling of this compound to minimize the risk of generation and exposure to the hazardous chemical.
All these measures must be implemented synchronously and continuously to ensure a safe working environment for workers exposed to Ni(CO)4.
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.
