Working environment factors
How does Nickel Tetracarbonyl affect workers’ health?
Jan
Nickel tetracarbonyl (C4NiO4) – a chemical commonly found in manufacturing plants, but few know that it can seriously affect the health of workers. This article will outline the dangerous impacts and how to protect your health when exposed to this hazardous substance.
1. What is Nickel tetracarbonyl?
Nickel tetracarbonyl, with the chemical formula C4NiO4, is a chemical compound containing nickel (Ni) and carbonyl groups (CO). It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. In the structure of nickel tetracarbonyl, each nickel molecule is surrounded by four carbonyl groups, each consisting of a carbon atom bonded to an oxygen atom via a double bond. Nickel tetracarbonyl is produced mainly in industrial processes, especially in the metal production and chemical industries. This substance is toxic and evaporates easily, so it can readily enter the body through respiration. When exposed under unsafe conditions, nickel tetracarbonyl can cause serious health effects for workers.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Niken tetracacbonyl | Nickel tetracarbonyl | 28230000 | 13463-39-3 | C4NiO4 |
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2. Where does Nickel tetracarbonyl originate from in the production process?
This substance is typically generated in industrial production processes involving nickel metal, particularly in nickel processing plants and nickel alloy manufacturing facilities. When nickel reacts with carbon monoxide (CO) under high temperature and pressure conditions, nickel tetracarbonyl is formed. This process can occur in furnaces or chemical reactors in specialized equipment. Additionally, nickel tetracarbonyl can also appear in processes for recycling nickel metal from scrap or during the production of other nickel compounds. Due to its volatile and toxic nature, this substance can be released into the air and pose a danger to workers if not strictly controlled.
3. Industries that use Nickel tetracarbonyl in production
This substance is primarily used in the metal processing industries, especially in the production of nickel and nickel alloys. In nickel production, it plays a crucial role in creating other nickel compounds that serve various applications in heavy industry. Furthermore, nickel tetracarbonyl is also used in the electronics manufacturing industry, where nickel metal is applied in small electronic parts, printed circuits, and other electronic components. Some petroleum refineries also use this compound in the refining process and production of chemical products containing nickel. In addition, nickel tetracarbonyl is present in some areas of scientific research, particularly in the synthesis and preparation of heavy metal compounds.
4. How does Nickel tetracarbonyl affect workers?
This substance has a dangerous impact on the health of workers when exposed through respiration, skin, or open wounds. When nickel tetracarbonyl gas is inhaled, toxic substances enter the lungs, causing serious problems such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and lung damage. This impact can lead to conditions like pneumonia or even respiratory failure with prolonged exposure. Besides, direct skin contact can cause irritation, rashes, or allergies, affecting internal organs. The nervous system is also affected by exposure to nickel tetracarbonyl, causing symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and in severe cases, neurotoxicity. Long-term exposure to this compound can also increase the risk of cancer, especially lung cancer, as nickel tetracarbonyl is considered a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO).
5. Permissible safe concentration of Nickel tetracarbonyl for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration for human exposure is regulated by health and occupational safety authorities. According to international standards, the concentration of this substance in the air should not exceed 0.1 mg/m³ in the work environment for one hour. This is the maximum concentration that a worker can be exposed to during a work shift without experiencing serious health effects. However, organizations such as OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) also recommend exposure control measures to ensure that the actual concentration is always lower than the maximum permissible level, to minimize health risks for workers.
On a basic level, if 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 effects of Nickel tetracarbonyl on workers’ health
To minimize the health effects of this compound on workers, strict safety measures must be implemented in the workplace. First and foremost, improving the ventilation system is crucial to limit the concentration of toxic gas in the air, creating a safer working environment. Factories and production facilities need to be equipped with effective ventilation and exhaust systems, especially in areas with high risk of exposure to nickel tetracarbonyl.
In addition, workers must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment such as chemical-resistant respirators, gloves, and protective clothing to prevent direct contact with this substance. This equipment not only protects workers from inhaling dust particles or toxic gases but also reduces the risk of skin irritation from chemical contact.
Training and raising awareness among workers about the health risks of working in an environment containing nickel tetracarbonyl is an essential factor. Providing information on how to recognize symptoms of poisoning and guiding prompt first aid helps protect workers’ health.
Furthermore, production facilities need to regularly check and monitor the concentration of nickel tetracarbonyl in the air to ensure safety levels. If the concentration is found to exceed the permissible limit, immediate intervention measures such as temporarily halting production or adjusting the production process must be applied immediately.
Finally, maintaining and implementing regular health check-up procedures for workers is an important measure to detect early signs of health damage related to exposure to this compound.
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
The occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the occupational environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. 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 technology, engineering, 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 Masters and Engineers with 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. Quotation for occupational environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our valued customers a price list for occupational environment monitoring services that is high-quality and reasonably priced.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices 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 quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
