How does Urea hydrogen peroxide affect workers’ health?

How does Urea hydrogen peroxide affect workers’ health?
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Urea hydrogen peroxide (CH6O3N2) is a common chemical in many industries, but its impact on the health of workers is not widely known. This article will explore the health effects of Urea hydrogen peroxide, helping workers become more aware of the potential risks when working in production environments that use this chemical.

1. What is Urea hydrogen peroxide?

With the chemical formula CH6O3N2, Urea hydrogen peroxide is an organic compound formed from the combination of urea and hydrogen peroxide. This compound is often used in many fields, including healthcare, the food industry, and chemical production, thanks to its strong antibacterial and oxidizing properties.

Urea is a nitrogen compound with the chemical formula CO(NH2)2, commonly known as a fertilizer in agriculture and a raw material in many industrial processes. When combined with hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent, it creates urea hydrogen peroxide. This compound can decompose quickly and release oxygen, thereby enhancing its antibacterial effectiveness.

Urea hydrogen peroxide is known for its effective cleaning and disinfecting capabilities. It can kill many types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, helping to ensure sanitary safety in food and pharmaceutical production processes. However, despite its many benefits, the use of this compound also poses certain risks to human health, especially for workers who come into direct contact with it in the workplace. Therefore, a clear understanding of the properties and effects of urea hydrogen peroxide is essential to ensure the health and safety of workers.

No. Chemical Name in Vietnamese Chemical Name in English HS Code CAS Number Chemical Formula
1. Urea hydro peroxit Urea hydrogen peroxide 28470010 124-43-6 CH6O3N2

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2. Where does Urea hydrogen peroxide originate from in the production process?

The compound CH6O3N2 often arises during the production and processing of products related to chemicals and food. In industry, this compound is mainly used as a disinfectant, cleaning agent, and in antibacterial applications. Urea hydrogen peroxide is created through the reaction between urea and hydrogen peroxide under strictly controlled conditions to optimize efficiency and ensure the chemical properties of the final product.

In food production, urea hydrogen peroxide may be present when manufacturers use it to treat water or disinfect equipment and surfaces that come into contact with food. The use of this compound aims to ensure food safety and hygiene by killing bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to consumers’ health. However, during this process, if not carefully controlled, urea hydrogen peroxide can be generated at high levels, leading to its unwanted presence in the working environment.

Additionally, in the medical field, urea hydrogen peroxide is used to disinfect medical equipment, surgical instruments, and in some healthcare products. The production and processing of these devices can also generate urea hydrogen peroxide in the air, affecting the health of medical staff if appropriate protective measures are not in place.


3. Industries that use Urea hydrogen peroxide in production

This compound is widely used in many industries, especially in fields related to chemical, food, and medical production. In the chemical industry, this compound is often used as a disinfectant and oxidizing agent, helping to eliminate bacteria and viruses during the production process, ensuring the safety of the final product.

The food industry is also one of the major consumers of urea hydrogen peroxide. It is used to disinfect water and clean food processing equipment to ensure that food products meet hygiene and safety standards. The use of this compound not only helps kill pathogens but also keeps food fresher. However, controlling the concentration and exposure time is very important to avoid affecting food quality.

In addition, in the medical field, urea hydrogen peroxide is used to disinfect medical instruments, surgical equipment, and in some healthcare procedures. This compound helps minimize the risk of infection in medical environments, protecting the health of patients and medical staff. However, those working in the healthcare industry need to be trained and fully equipped with personal protective measures to limit exposure to this compound.

Besides, urea hydrogen peroxide is also present in the textile industry, where it is used for bleaching fabrics and cleaning surfaces. This helps improve product quality and enhance production efficiency. However, as in other industries, exposure to urea hydrogen peroxide needs to be strictly managed to protect the health of workers.


4. How does Urea hydrogen peroxide affect workers?

Despite its many applications in production, Urea hydrogen peroxide also poses risks to the health of workers. When exposed to this compound, workers may face various health problems, especially if appropriate protective measures are not in place.

One of the main effects of urea hydrogen peroxide is its ability to cause skin and eye irritation. When this compound comes into direct contact with the skin, it can cause allergic reactions, redness, burning, itching, and rashes. For the eyes, contact can lead to severe irritation, and even corneal damage if not treated promptly. This is particularly dangerous in a work environment where workers may not always be fully equipped with personal protective equipment.

In addition, when inhaling the vapor of urea hydrogen peroxide, workers may experience respiratory problems. Symptoms can include coughing, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. For those with a history of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, exposure to this compound can worsen their condition, leading to more serious complications.

Furthermore, long-term exposure to urea hydrogen peroxide can have serious effects on the overall health of workers. Some studies indicate that prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals can increase the risk of chronic diseases and affect the function of the liver, kidneys, and immune system.


5. Permissible safe concentration of Urea hydrogen peroxide for human exposure

The permissible safe concentration of Urea hydrogen peroxide for human exposure is a critical issue in ensuring occupational health and safety. International health and safety organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), have established specific guidelines and regulations regarding the maximum permissible concentration of this compound in the workplace.

According to current standards, the concentration of Urea hydrogen peroxide in the air should not exceed 1 ppm (parts per million) to ensure worker safety. This level is determined based on studies of the health effects of the compound on humans, especially in long-term exposure situations. Excessively high concentrations can lead to serious health problems such as skin irritation, eye damage, and respiratory symptoms.

In addition, in chemical production and handling processes, it is necessary to regularly monitor the concentration of Urea hydrogen peroxide to ensure it does not exceed the safe threshold. The use of measuring equipment and workplace environment testing is essential to detect any increase in the concentration of this compound early. This not only helps protect the health of workers but also helps businesses comply with occupational safety regulations.

In cases where the concentration of Urea hydrogen peroxide exceeds the permissible level, protective measures must be implemented immediately. Workers should be required to leave the area with high concentrations, and ventilation measures should be applied to reduce the concentration of the compound in the air. At the same time, providing information about risks and safety measures to workers is also very important, helping them to be aware of the dangers and know how to protect themselves in the workplace.

On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Urea hydrogen peroxide is important. 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 minimize the health effects of Urea hydrogen peroxide on workers

To minimize the health effects of Urea hydrogen peroxide on workers, a series of preventive and safety measures must be implemented in the workplace. These measures not only help protect the health of workers but also ensure a safe and efficient working environment.

First of all, training employees on safety awareness is essential. Businesses need to organize regular training sessions on the risks associated with Urea hydrogen peroxide and how to use this compound safely. Employees need to be fully informed about the symptoms they may experience upon exposure to the compound and how to handle incidents. This helps to raise awareness and preventive capabilities for workers.

Next, providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a crucial factor. Workers should be equipped with gloves, masks, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant clothing to minimize direct contact with Urea hydrogen peroxide. Proper use of PPE will help protect workers from the negative effects of this compound.

In addition, improving the ventilation system in work areas also plays an important role in reducing the concentration of Urea hydrogen peroxide in the air. Businesses should ensure that the ventilation system operates effectively, helping to vent toxic gases and provide fresh air for workers. Installing devices to measure chemical concentrations in the air is also very useful for monitoring and early detection of Urea hydrogen peroxide concentrations, thereby enabling timely intervention.

Furthermore, it is necessary to establish safe work procedures, including emergency measures in case of an incident. Employees need to be instructed on how to handle a Urea hydrogen peroxide leak, such as immediately leaving the affected area, calling medical personnel, and using the necessary safety equipment to handle the situation.

Finally, conducting regular health check-ups for workers is also very important. Businesses should organize periodic health examinations to detect early signs of health effects due to exposure to Urea hydrogen peroxide. This not only helps protect the health of workers but also creates a safer and more sustainable work environment.

Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated about 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 adherence to safety rules.

Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, and from there, adjust to reduce the hazard level to prevent occupational diseases for them.


7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center

The occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet 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 supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the occupational environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center is concerned with 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 been and is becoming 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 things possible.
  • Along with a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
Official letter from the Department of Health agreeing with the content of the declaration of eligibility to perform occupational environment monitoring activities
  • By coming to the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service with experts in the field of monitoring. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.

8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring

To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring in a professional and effective manner, Nam Viet provides our customers with a quotation for quality and reasonably priced occupational environment monitoring services.

  • Our quotation 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 consultation and answer any questions about our monitoring services in the quickest and most professional manner.
  • 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.

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