Working environment factors
How does Silane affect workers’ health?
Jan
Silane (SiH₄) is a common chemical in manufacturing plants, but few people know that it can cause serious health effects for workers. This article will explore the potential risks and how to protect your health when working with silane in an industrial environment.
1. What is Silane?
Silane (SiH₄) is a chemical compound with the molecular formula SiH₄, consisting of one silicon (Si) atom and four hydrogen (H) atoms. It is a colorless, flammable gas with a mild odor. Silane is primarily used in the semiconductor and glass manufacturing industries, and in other chemical processes, especially when thin films or coating materials are needed.
Silane can also react strongly with oxygen and other oxidizing agents, forming silicon dioxide (SiO₂), an important component in insulating materials. Although silane is not a common toxic substance in daily life, when exposed to high concentrations or in an uncontrolled industrial environment, it can pose health risks to workers. Therefore, a clear understanding of the chemical properties and safety measures when using silane is very important for factories and workers.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Silan | Silane | 28539000 | 7803-62-5 | SiH4 |
See more chemical safety training services according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Silane originate from in the production process?
During the production process, the compound SiH₄ is often created in chemical synthesis steps from raw materials containing silicon and hydrogen. One of the common methods to produce silane is the reaction between silicon and hydrogen chloride (HCl) or hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a high-temperature environment. This process usually takes place in factories specializing in the production of semiconductors, optical materials, and electronic products.
In addition, SiH₄ can also be generated in the production processes of coating materials or in systems for fabricating semiconductor devices, where silicon compounds and gases such as hydrogen or chloride gas are used. When silicon reacts with hydrogen gas, silane is formed as a gas, which is then collected and used in industrial applications.
3. Industries that use Silane in production
Silane is widely used in many industries, especially in semiconductor manufacturing. Factories that fabricate electronic components, including microcircuits, semiconductor chips, and silicon wafers, all require this compound in their manufacturing process. SiH₄ is an important raw material in the process of depositing silicon onto the surface of other materials, which helps to enhance conductivity and create special insulating layers.
Besides the electronics industry, silane is also used in the production of optical materials such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other display devices. This compound is also present in the glass, paint, and coating manufacturing industries, where it helps to create protective layers or anti-stain coatings.
The metal processing industry also uses silane in applications for creating coatings or surface treatments to improve the durability of materials. In addition, SiH₄ is also used in the production of rubber and plastic products, where it helps to enhance the mechanical properties and durability of the final product.
4. How does Silane affect workers?
When exposed to the compound SiH₄, workers can face many health risks. This compound is a flammable gas and can cause fire and explosion when it encounters high temperatures or sparks. When silane is inhaled, it can cause respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and bronchitis. Those with long-term exposure to silane may experience more serious respiratory problems, and it can even lead to lung damage or respiratory failure if not properly controlled.
In addition, silane can also cause skin and eye irritation upon direct contact. Common symptoms include redness, itching, or swelling of the skin and eyes. When exposed to high concentrations of this compound, eye damage can be severe, including conjunctivitis or long-term vision-related problems. Furthermore, in cases of inhaling a large amount of silane, workers may experience neurological problems, such as dizziness, headache, or a feeling of fatigue.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Silane for human exposure
The permissible safe concentration of silane for human exposure is regulated by international occupational safety organizations, such as OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). According to these regulations, the maximum permissible concentration of silane in the workplace air is 5 parts per million (ppm) during a normal workday. This is the concentration level to which a worker can be exposed throughout a work shift without facing a serious health risk.
The studies and regulations of these agencies are aimed at protecting workers from the harmful effects of silane when inhaled in the work environment. If the concentration in the air exceeds the permissible level, the risk of harm to the respiratory tract and other parts of the body will increase significantly.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Silane is important. Organizations like 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 health effects of Silane on workers
To minimize the health effects of silane on workers, preventive and protective measures play a crucial role in the work environment. One of the most important measures is to ensure good ventilation in the work area, which helps to reduce the concentration of silane in the air. Installing an effective ventilation system will help to quickly remove hazardous gases, minimizing the risk of inhaling high levels of silane.
Besides, workers should use adequate personal protective equipment, such as respirators, gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Respirators are particularly important in protecting the respiratory tract from hazardous gases when working with silane, helping to prevent the inhalation of this compound. Safety goggles and gloves will help protect workers from direct effects on the skin and eyes in the event of a leak or contact with silane.
In addition, businesses need to train workers on safe procedures when working with silane, including identifying danger signs and how to respond to emergency situations. Conducting regular checks and monitoring of silane concentrations in the air is also an important measure to detect any incidents related to gas levels exceeding the safe limit early.
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, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring Center 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 OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
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 is committed 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 options 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. You will also get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table provides detailed information about 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 advice and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
