Safety and Health at Work Vol. 10 Issue 4 2019
Worker Safety in the Rare Earth Elements Recycling Process From the Review of Toxicity and Issues (Review Article)
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 10 Issue 4 2019
Worker Safety in the Rare Earth Elements Recycling Process From the Review of Toxicity and Issues (Review Article)
Worker Safety in the Rare Earth Elements Recycling Process From the Review of Toxicity and Issues (Review Article)
Subject
Hazard/risk, Occupational safety and health, Rare earths, Recycling, Toxicity
Description
Although the rare earth elements (REEs) recycling industry is expected to increase worldwide in high-
tech industry, regulations for worker safety have yet to be established. This study was conducted to
understand the potential hazard/risk of REE recycling and to support the establishment of regulations or standards. We review the extensive literature on the toxicology, occupational safety, and health issues, and epidemiological surveys related to the REEs, and propose suitable management measures. REE recycling has four key steps such as collection, dismantling, separation, and processing. In these processes, hazardous substances, such as REEs-containing dust, metals, and chemicals, were used or occurred, including the risk of ignition and explosion, and the workers can be easily exposed to them. In addition, skin irritation and toxicities for respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with the liver toxicity were reported; however, more supplementary data are needed, owing to incompleteness. Therefore, monitoring systems concerning health, environmental impacts, and safety need to be established, based on additional research studies. It is also necessary to develop innovative and environment-friendly recycling technologies, analytical methods, and biomarkers with government support. Through these efforts, the occupational safety and health status will be improved, along with the establishment of advanced REE recycling industry.
tech industry, regulations for worker safety have yet to be established. This study was conducted to
understand the potential hazard/risk of REE recycling and to support the establishment of regulations or standards. We review the extensive literature on the toxicology, occupational safety, and health issues, and epidemiological surveys related to the REEs, and propose suitable management measures. REE recycling has four key steps such as collection, dismantling, separation, and processing. In these processes, hazardous substances, such as REEs-containing dust, metals, and chemicals, were used or occurred, including the risk of ignition and explosion, and the workers can be easily exposed to them. In addition, skin irritation and toxicities for respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with the liver toxicity were reported; however, more supplementary data are needed, owing to incompleteness. Therefore, monitoring systems concerning health, environmental impacts, and safety need to be established, based on additional research studies. It is also necessary to develop innovative and environment-friendly recycling technologies, analytical methods, and biomarkers with government support. Through these efforts, the occupational safety and health status will be improved, along with the establishment of advanced REE recycling industry.
Creator
Seo-Ho Shin, Hyun-Ock Kim, Kyung-Taek Rim
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
December 2019
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 10 Issue 4 2019
Files
Citation
Seo-Ho Shin, Hyun-Ock Kim, Kyung-Taek Rim, “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 10 Issue 4 2019
Worker Safety in the Rare Earth Elements Recycling Process From the Review of Toxicity and Issues (Review Article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed September 20, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1964.
Worker Safety in the Rare Earth Elements Recycling Process From the Review of Toxicity and Issues (Review Article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed September 20, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1964.