Working environment factors
How does Vinyl chloride affect workers’ health?
Dec
Vinyl chloride (CH₂CHCl) is a common chemical in the manufacturing industry, but are you aware that it can cause serious health effects for workers? Let’s learn about the potential risks of exposure to Vinyl chloride and the measures to protect workers in the work environment.
1. What is Vinyl chloride?
Vinyl chloride, with the chemical formula CH₂CHCl, is an organic compound commonly found in the plastics manufacturing industry. The molecular structure of Vinyl chloride consists of a methylene group (-CH₂-) bonded to a vinyl group (-CH=) and a chlorine atom (-Cl) attached to a carbon. It is a colorless, volatile gas with a characteristic odor. Vinyl chloride is primarily used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC), an important type of plastic with wide applications in construction, healthcare, electronics, and other industries.
Vinyl chloride can be produced through the synthesis from ethylene, using chlorine and oxygen in a chemical reaction. In industrial production, Vinyl chloride is usually supplied as a compressed gas or liquid and is flammable. Although it is a crucial chemical in manufacturing, Vinyl chloride carries many health risks, especially for workers with long-term exposure to it.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Vinyl clorua | Vinyl chloride | 29032100 | 75-01-4 | CH₂CHCl |
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2. Where does Vinyl chloride originate from in the production process?
During the production process, this gas is mainly generated from the synthesis and processing steps of raw materials to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Specifically, Vinyl chloride is created through the reaction between ethylene and chlorine under high-temperature conditions and in the presence of oxygen, forming this colorless compound. Additionally, the dehalogenation of chlorine-containing compounds is also a source of Vinyl chloride in chemical plants.
Besides the main sources in the PVC production process, Vinyl chloride can also appear during the processing of auxiliary materials such as recycled plastics or in incomplete chemical reactions. In particular, PVC manufacturing plants or plastic processing facilities frequently face the risk of Vinyl chloride generation from equipment, pipelines, or other industrial processes that do not ensure safety.
3. Industries that use Vinyl chloride in production
Vinyl chloride is primarily used in the industry of manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common plastic in many different fields. Occupations related to the production and processing of PVC are frequently exposed to Vinyl chloride, including the construction, medical, electronics, and consumer material manufacturing industries.
In the construction industry, PVC is used to produce water pipes, windows, flooring, and insulating materials. Workers in plastic manufacturing plants or on construction sites are often exposed to Vinyl chloride during the processing and installation of PVC products. Similarly, in the medical field, PVC is used to produce medical devices such as tubing, fluid bags, and single-use items, which also poses a potential risk of exposure to Vinyl chloride during the manufacturing and operation of equipment.
Furthermore, Vinyl chloride is also applied in the electronics industry to produce various types of wire sheathing, fiber optic cables, and other components with high electrical insulation properties. These industries require workers to handle related chemicals, including Vinyl chloride, with a certain level of exposure throughout the production process.
4. How does Vinyl chloride affect workers?
When exposed to Vinyl chloride, workers can face many serious health effects. This chemical can enter the body through the respiratory tract, skin, or through direct contact with products containing Vinyl chloride. Short-term effects of exposure to Vinyl chloride may include symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. These symptoms often appear when the concentration of Vinyl chloride in the air exceeds the permissible level.
However, more serious effects usually only occur with long-term exposure or in environments with high concentrations of Vinyl chloride. One of the greatest risks is the impact on the nervous system. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to Vinyl chloride can cause neurological problems such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and sensory disorders. In addition, Vinyl chloride is also a carcinogen, particularly causing liver cancer, with some cases of workers in the PVC industry developing liver cancer due to long-term exposure to this chemical.
Vinyl chloride can also cause damage to the respiratory and digestive systems. Direct contact or inhalation of Vinyl chloride gas can damage the lungs, cause pneumonia, or impair respiratory function. Workers in environments without adequate ventilation systems or proper protection are at risk of developing these medical conditions.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Vinyl chloride for human exposure
To protect workers’ health, controlling the concentration of Vinyl chloride in the work environment is extremely important. International health and occupational safety organizations have set permissible safe concentration levels for this chemical to minimize health risks for workers. According to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States, the concentration of Vinyl chloride in the air must not exceed 1 part per million (ppm) over an 8-hour workday. For short-term exposure (15 minutes), the recommended limit is 5 ppm.
This concentration is determined based on studies of the health effects of Vinyl chloride on the human body. Long-term exposure to concentrations higher than this safe level can lead to serious problems such as liver cancer, neurological diseases, and respiratory illnesses.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to comply with safety standards and limit exposure to Vinyl chloride. 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 effects of Vinyl chloride on workers’ health
To minimize the effects of Vinyl chloride on workers’ health, protective measures and control of the work environment are extremely important. One of the most effective solutions is to improve ventilation in production areas to help reduce the concentration of Vinyl chloride in the air. Ventilation and exhaust systems should be designed to ensure sufficient airflow to remove toxic substances, while preventing the accumulation of Vinyl chloride at dangerous levels.
Besides that, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is an indispensable measure. Workers need to wear masks, gloves, and specialized protective clothing to minimize the possibility of direct contact with Vinyl chloride. This protective equipment helps limit the entry of the chemical into the body through the respiratory tract and skin, protecting the health of workers throughout the work process.
Companies and production facilities also need to implement regular training programs for workers on the risks of Vinyl chloride and safety measures when working. Raising awareness of the harms of Vinyl chloride and protective methods will help workers be more proactive in complying with safety regulations, reducing the risk of occupational diseases.
In addition, production facilities need to regularly inspect and maintain safety equipment, including ventilation systems, devices for checking Vinyl chloride concentration in the air, and personal protective tools. Implementing these measures not only helps ensure workers’ health but also enhances production efficiency, reduces costs due to illness, and improves the quality of work in the production environment.
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, to collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of harm 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 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 is concerned with customer satisfaction, meeting 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.
- Coming to 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 deals on costs.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides our valued customers with a quotation for quality and reasonably priced occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information about the prices of the monitoring services we offer. It includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Our valued 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 consult and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, our valued customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
