Working environment factors
How does Thalidomide affect workers’ health?
Dec
Thalidomide (C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄) is a chemical that can cause serious health effects for workers in manufacturing plants that use this substance. This article will explore the negative health impacts of Thalidomide, from the short-term to long-term issues that workers may face.
1. What is Thalidomide?
The chemical formula C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄ represents an organic compound with a rather special structure, consisting of 13 carbon (C) atoms, 10 hydrogen (H) atoms, 2 nitrogen (N) atoms, and 4 oxygen (O) atoms. This compound belongs to a group of chemicals with the potential to strongly impact human health and is known for its remarkable pharmacological properties.
The characteristic of this compound lies in its molecular structure, in which carbon atoms form benzene rings and functional groups such as nitro and ester. This structure gives the compound special physicochemical properties, helping it interact with cells in the human body. However, it is these same properties that can also cause harmful effects if used improperly, especially with long-term exposure or at high doses.
The formula C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄ is studied extensively in pharmacological research due to its ability to cause serious effects on the body. These compounds can penetrate the nervous and circulatory systems, or even cause congenital disorders if used during pregnancy.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Thalidomit | Thalidomide | 29339990 29251900 | 50-35-1 | C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄ |
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2. Where does Thalidomide originate from in the production process?
This chemical originates from the pharmaceutical synthesis process in drug manufacturing plants. It was initially discovered in the 1950s during the research and development of sedatives and sleep aids. However, during its production, factories did not anticipate the negative effects this compound could cause with long-term exposure to the human body, especially for workers in the production environment.
During manufacturing, this compound can be generated in the form of gases, dust, or chemical vapors, and these elements can easily enter the body through the respiratory tract, skin, or digestion if appropriate occupational safety measures are not in place. Factories use thalidomide in various stages of pharmaceutical processing, and during this process, leaks or uncontrolled exposure to workers can occur.
3. Industries that use Thalidomide in production
During production, some industries use this chemical primarily in the pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing sectors. This chemical is used in drug processing plants to create sedatives, anti-anxiety products, or to help treat sleep-related issues. However, outside of the pharmaceutical industry, thalidomide may also be used in other fields such as scientific research, particularly in experiments related to the effects of compounds on cells and tissues.
In pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, thalidomide is often present in stages such as formulation, drug preparation, packaging, and storage. All these stages have the potential to generate the chemical in the form of dust, gas, or vapor, which can lead to direct exposure for workers in these professions if adequate protective measures are not in place. Pharmaceutical companies may use thalidomide in tablet, capsule, or solution form to create drug products for treating specific medical conditions.
In addition to the pharmaceutical industry, thalidomide may also appear in some biomedical research fields, where scientists conduct experiments to test the effects of this compound on cells, tissues, and the body. Laboratory research may use this chemical to understand its effects on the body, aiming to develop new treatment methods or identify potential risks associated with thalidomide use. However, due to the serious side effects of this chemical, its use in research must also be strictly controlled and comply with safety regulations.
4. How does Thalidomide affect workers?
Exposure to this chemical in the workplace can cause serious health effects for workers, especially with long-term exposure or at high doses. One of the most noticeable impacts is on the nervous system. Workers may experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and even a loss of concentration in their work as this chemical affects the central nervous system.
Thalidomide can also cause serious skin problems, such as dermatitis, rashes, or skin irritation. When the chemical enters the body through the skin, it can cause allergic reactions or severe dermatological disorders. Workers who have direct contact with thalidomide without appropriate protective measures like gloves or protective clothing can be easily affected.
Furthermore, thalidomide can cause serious problems for the reproductive system and pregnancy. Pregnant women or workers of childbearing age who are exposed to this chemical may face the risk of miscarriage or giving birth to a child with birth defects. These defects can affect the development of the fetus and cause physical or intellectual problems for the newborn later on.
Another equally serious effect is the impact on the cardiovascular system. Workers may experience symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, or blood circulation problems when exposed to thalidomide. These issues can lead to long-term cardiovascular diseases if not treated promptly.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Thalidomide for human exposure
When dealing with this chemical, determining a safe concentration is crucial to protect workers’ health. However, due to the serious effects this chemical can cause, there is no widely recognized “absolutely safe” concentration. Studies show that even at low levels, thalidomide can still cause serious harm if workers are exposed for a long time.
According to health and safety authorities, the concentrations of thalidomide in the work environment must be very strictly controlled. In countries with strict occupational safety regulations, standards often require the maximum exposure level of this chemical to be very low to minimize the risk of health effects on workers. Specifically, the permissible exposure limits for thalidomide in the air or in the production environment are often set at low levels, with some limits allowing only a few micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
However, because thalidomide can have adverse effects even at low doses, other protective measures such as ventilation in production areas, personal protective equipment (such as masks, gloves, safety glasses), and training workers on safe handling are also essential factors to minimize risk.
In cases of potential high exposure, production facilities need to ensure that workers receive regular health monitoring and that timely measures are taken to stop exposure if any signs of adverse effects on the body are detected. In summary, although there are some standards for permissible exposure concentrations, maintaining a low exposure level and implementing safety measures are essential to ensure workers’ health.
At a basic level, when working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Thalidomide. 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 effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to mitigate the health effects of Thalidomide on workers
To minimize the health effects of thalidomide on workers, applying preventive and protective measures is extremely important. One of the first and most effective measures is to ensure the work environment is well-ventilated and has a good ventilation system. Adequate ventilation helps reduce the concentration of the chemical in the air, thereby minimizing the likelihood of workers inhaling harmful thalidomide particles or gas.
In addition, providing adequate personal protective equipment is essential. Workers must be supplied with and required to use protective gear such as gloves, masks, safety glasses, and protective clothing. This equipment helps prevent the chemical from coming into direct contact with the skin and eyes, while also minimizing the inhalation of thalidomide particles or vapor in the air. Training and reminding workers on the proper use of protective equipment also play an important role in preventing the risk of exposure.
Furthermore, companies and production facilities need to strictly adhere to occupational safety regulations, including regularly checking the concentration of thalidomide in the work environment and applying measures to reduce its concentration. Periodic health monitoring for workers is very important. Doctors need to conduct health check-ups to detect early signs of poisoning or damage caused by thalidomide, allowing for timely intervention.
In case of emergencies or when a chemical leak is detected, there must be clear and prompt incident response procedures, including evacuating workers from the hazardous area and carrying out necessary decontamination measures. Factories also need to have regular training programs to raise workers’ awareness of the potential risks and safety measures when working with thalidomide.
In summary, minimizing the health effects of thalidomide on workers requires a close combination of controlling the work environment, using protective equipment, regular health monitoring, and implementing strict occupational safety measures. These measures will help protect workers from the negative impacts of this chemical.
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 workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Center for Workplace Environment Monitoring
The workplace environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in the supervision and measurement of workplace environmental quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measurement equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, processing, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and committing 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 workplace 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 Workplace Environment Monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation for workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It 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 quality service.
