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Corrosion final report
- Course
- SCH4U
- Institution
- 12th Grade
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Electrodeposition is another word used for electroplating. Electroplating is a procedurethat uses an electric current to lower metal cations that have dissolved so that the cations can
surround an electrode with a thin coating of metal. Electroplating any item makes it stronger and
enhances the item’s resistance to corrosion. The covering that is created by this procedure is
smooth and thick enough to prevent the item from getting damaged (ScienceDirect, 2023). The
procedure of electroplating is carried out in an electrolytic bath which has oils and fats that are
blended, mixtures that make items wet and lighten them in color. These elements that are found
in electrolytic baths are made of chemicals that harm our health and are unsafe to work with if
we are not properly protected (ScienceDirect, 2023). In this paper, I will be sharing how
exposure to chemicals that are hazardous occur, the different chemicals that are utilized in
electroplating, their possible health risks and ways of monitoring health when exposure to these
chemicals has taken place. I will also share safety precautions to follow when electroplating.
The first topic that will be discussed in this paper is how exposure to chemicals that are
hazardous occur. Employees at electroplating locations might be surrounded by chemicals that
are hazardous in different forms. Some chemical forms that may be surrounding an electroplater
are fumes, vapors, mists, dust of the metals and solutions with electrolytes. Being surrounded by
chemical dangers may cause short or long problems of health (Safe work Australia, 2012, pg 8).
Some of these health problems are irritation of skin or eye, burns, asthma and problems with
breathing. Sometimes exposure to chemicals that are dangerous may not lead to health effects.
This is dependent on the type of chemical, how many times it was touched, how long someone
spent with the chemical and how it entered the body (Safe work Australia, 2012, pg 8).
There are a few ways people can get exposed to the chemicals that are hazardous in an
electroplating workplace. The first method is when the lid of containers are loose and they spill
during transportation, storage or throwing away. The second method is when fumes or gasses
accumulate during storage or they are used in areas that do not have enough space for the fume
to spread around, this causes the fume to be stuck in one place (Safework Australia, 2012, pg 8).
The third way is during the process of electroplating, there may be splashing when adding or
removing items in or from the tank because of excessive bubbling that is taking place in the
electrolytic solution. The fourth way is when management is done improperly, there may be
uncleaned drips, the waste has been thrown incorrectly and the process for clean up is not good
enough (Safe Work Australia, 2012, pg 8).
The second topic that will be discussed in this paper is the variety of chemicals that are
utilized in electroplating and how each affects our health. Some chemicals that are used in the
process of electroplating are ammonium hydroxide, cadmium salts such as cadmium oxide and
cyanide, cyanide salts such as zinc and cadmium, hydrochloric acid, compounds made from
chromium, nickel, oxides of nitrogen, compounds made from copper and arsenic. Ammonium
hydroxide irritates the eye and nose, causes headache, burning of throat, throwing up, bronchitis
and pneumonia (Worksafe, 2023). When ammonium hydroxide comes in contact with the skin or
eyes, it causes severe burns. Cadmium salts irritate the respiratory tract, stains the teeth yellow,
causes damage to the kidney and causes hypertension. Cyanide salts cause rashes on the skin,
irritation of the eye, unconsciousness and possibly death. Recovery from exposure is possible if
the amount of exposure was less. Hydrochloric acid may cause burns and will irritate the mucous
membrane (Worksafe, 2023).
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