The Impact of Chemical Exposure on Worker Health in Water Treatment Facilities
Learn how chemical exposures in water treatment plants can impact your health, and explore practical strategies to stay safe and protect your well-being on the job.
- By Mia Barnes
- Apr 24, 2025
Water treatment plants are crucial for public health and industrial operations, but the processes inside can expose professionals to various hazardous chemicals. Explore the possible health impacts of chemical exposure in these facilities and discover actionable strategies you can follow to improve your well-being.
4 Types of Chemicals in Water Treatment Facilities and Their Risks
Chemical treatments are crucial for removing contaminants and impurities, reducing the presence of odor, color, taste and suspended particles. While chemicals have many benefits, they carry various health risks to water treatment facility workers. Here are the most common chemicals used and the health complications associated with them.
Chlorine Gas
Chlorine is one of the most used disinfectants in water treatment facilities. It’s a key chemical for ensuring water safety for industrial use and consumption. You may inhale chlorine gas, or it might come into contact with your skin or eyes when there’s a spill, a leak from a container or tank, or a leak from a facility that produces the chemical.
Short-term exposure to chlorine gas may trigger nose and throat irritation and excessive salivation. Chronic exposure can lead to sore throat, cough, chest pain and hemoptysis — a condition where you cough up blood from the lungs.
Aluminum Sulfate
Also known as alum, aluminum sulfate is a coagulant in various treatment processes. This liquid clarifies potable water and removes suspended solids and phosphorus. It’s a highly reactive chemical that forms positively charged aluminum ions in wastewater, neutralizing particles like clay, organic matter, silt and other contaminants.
You may experience irritation if you get alum in your eye. Consumption may cause mild poisoning, triggering nausea, vomiting or an upset stomach.
Sodium Hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite is a powerful chemical that kills bacteria, fungi and viruses, ensuring the safety and quality of water for human consumption. It’s also known as “liquid chlorine” and is the active ingredient in household bleach.
Inhalation of this chemical can lead to irritation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, breathing distress, cough and headache. High concentrations may trigger upper respiratory tract edema and pulmonary edema.
Calcium Hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide, also known as hydrated lime or slaked lime, is crucial for increasing the pH of acidic water and dissolving impurities, unwanted colors and metals. Adding this chemical to water treatment processes removes calcium and magnesium ions from water, effectively softening the water. Contact with this chemical can cause damage to the eyes and the mucus membranes.
In severe cases, it may lead to loss of vision, severe pain, breathing difficulty, or burning in the nose, lips, eyes, ears or tongue.
Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Health Risks to Workers
Discover the steps to lower your risk of chemical exposure and accidents.
Reduce Chemical Overuse
Implementing automation and monitoring solutions improves the precision of dosing. For instance, you can install an automated chemical dispenser that regulates water chemistry automatically to treat water whenever chemical levels deviate from preset values, thereby maximizing efficiency.
Follow All Safety Procedures
You must follow your water treatment plant’s specialized safety guidelines, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. If possible, conduct refresher courses to maintain high standards of compliance. Incorporate posters, videos and demonstrations so that every employee follows all the safety protocols.
Practice Proper Chemical Labeling and Storage
Proper labeling and storage help prevent chemicals from causing harm within the facility. Follow the manufacturer’s labeling and handling reminders. Here are some storage guidelines that can help improve laboratory safety while handling chemicals:
- Store chemicals in a secure location and away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
- Ensure shelves are stable, level and secure.
- Ensure label containers are compatible with the chemical.
- Use safety cans or rated storage cabinets whenever possible.
- Segregate chemicals according to their hazards to prevent undesirable reactions.
Wear the Right Protective Clothing
Use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect yourself from harmful chemicals, physical hazards and biological agents. Choose safety gear that’s adjustable and made from breathable materials for increased comfort. All workers must have access to goggles, gloves, face shields, boots and gowns.
Promote Proper Ventilation
Ventilation is one of the most essential engineering controls for improving air quality in a water treatment plant. A well-designed ventilation system can provide healthy air for breathing, promote better health and concentration, and reduce exposure to air pollutants. You can also invest in air monitoring solutions to detect chemical concentrations.
Reduce Chemical Exposure Today
Now that you know the risks of chemical exposure in a water treatment facility, you can take steps to safeguard your and your co-workers’ health. The future of worker safety in this industry lies in proactive risk management, following proper safety standards and embracing technological advancements.