Safety and Health at Work Vol. 11 Issue 4 2020
Chemical Use and Associated Health Concerns in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry (Original Article)
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 11 Issue 4 2020
Chemical Use and Associated Health Concerns in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry (Original Article)
Chemical Use and Associated Health Concerns in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry (Original Article)
Subject
Carcinogen, Chemical, Mutagen, Semiconductor, Trade secrets
Description
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: 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: On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16e56%) 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 carcino-
genic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials.
Conclusion: 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.
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: On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16e56%) 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 carcino-
genic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials.
Conclusion: 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.
Creator
Chungsik Yoon, Sunju Kim, Donguk Park, Younsoon Choi, Jihoon Jo, Kwonseob Lee
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
December 2020
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 11 Issue 4 2020
Files
Citation
Chungsik Yoon, Sunju Kim, Donguk Park, Younsoon Choi, Jihoon Jo, Kwonseob Lee , “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 11 Issue 4 2020
Chemical Use and Associated Health Concerns in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry (Original Article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 21, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2039.
Chemical Use and Associated Health Concerns in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry (Original Article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 21, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2039.