Chemical Use and Associated Health Concerns in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry.
Carcinogen
Chemical
Mutagen
Semiconductor
Trade secrets
Journal
Safety and health at work
ISSN: 2093-7911
Titre abrégé: Saf Health Work
Pays: Korea (South)
ID NLM: 101542940
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Dec 2020
Dec 2020
Historique:
received:
15
03
2019
revised:
03
03
2020
accepted:
12
04
2020
entrez:
17
12
2020
pubmed:
18
12
2020
medline:
18
12
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Research on the status of many chemicals used in the semiconductor industry is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall status of chemical use in the semiconductor industry in Korea and to examine it from a health perspective. Data on the status of chemical use and safety data sheets at 11 of 12 major semiconductor workplaces in Korea were collected. The number of chemical products and chemical constituents, quantities of chemicals, and trade secret ingredients used, as well as the health hazards were examined. On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16-56%) contained at least one trade secret ingredient. Most of the trade secret ingredients were used in the photolithography process. Several carcinogens, including sulfuric acid, chromic acid, ethylene oxide, crystalline silica, potassium dichromate, and formaldehyde were also used. Only 29% (39 of 135) of the chemical constituents had occupational exposure limits, and more than 60% had no National Fire Protection Association health, safety, and reactivity ratings. Based on the aforementioned results, this study revealed the following. First, many chemical products and constituents are being used in the semiconductor industry and many products contained trade secret ingredients. Second, many products contained significant amounts of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials. We conclude that protecting workers in the semiconductor industry against harm from chemical substances will be difficult, due to widespread use of trade secret ingredients and a lack of hazard information. The findings of the status of chemical use and the health and safety risks in semiconductor industry will contribute to epidemiological studies, safe workplace, and worker health protection.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Research on the status of many chemicals used in the semiconductor industry is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall status of chemical use in the semiconductor industry in Korea and to examine it from a health perspective.
METHODS
METHODS
Data on the status of chemical use and safety data sheets at 11 of 12 major semiconductor workplaces in Korea were collected. The number of chemical products and chemical constituents, quantities of chemicals, and trade secret ingredients used, as well as the health hazards were examined.
RESULTS
RESULTS
On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16-56%) contained at least one trade secret ingredient. Most of the trade secret ingredients were used in the photolithography process. Several carcinogens, including sulfuric acid, chromic acid, ethylene oxide, crystalline silica, potassium dichromate, and formaldehyde were also used. Only 29% (39 of 135) of the chemical constituents had occupational exposure limits, and more than 60% had no National Fire Protection Association health, safety, and reactivity ratings. Based on the aforementioned results, this study revealed the following. First, many chemical products and constituents are being used in the semiconductor industry and many products contained trade secret ingredients. Second, many products contained significant amounts of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that protecting workers in the semiconductor industry against harm from chemical substances will be difficult, due to widespread use of trade secret ingredients and a lack of hazard information. The findings of the status of chemical use and the health and safety risks in semiconductor industry will contribute to epidemiological studies, safe workplace, and worker health protection.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33329917
doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.04.005
pii: S2093-7911(20)30271-7
pmc: PMC7728705
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
500-508Informations de copyright
© 2020 Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Published by Elsevier Korea LLC.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.
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