Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Issue 3 2022
Occupational Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers in the Semiconductor Scrubber Manufacturing Industry (Original article)
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Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Issue 3 2022
Occupational Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers in the Semiconductor Scrubber Manufacturing Industry (Original article)
Occupational Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers in the Semiconductor Scrubber Manufacturing Industry (Original article)
Subject
Exposure assessment
High-temperature insulation
Occupational exposure
Refractory ceramic fibers
Work environment
High-temperature insulation
Occupational exposure
Refractory ceramic fibers
Work environment
Description
Background: Refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) are a suspected carcinogen but have been widely used as insulations. Depending on the temperature, RCFs can transform into crystalline SiO2, which is a
carcinogen that can be present in the air during bulk RCF handling. This study analyzed the physicochemical and morphological characteristics of RCFs at high temperatures and determined the exposure levels during the semiconductor scrubber maintenance.
Methods: Sampling was conducted at a company that manufactures semiconductor scrubbers using RCFs as insulation. Bulk RCF samples were collected both before and after exposure to a scrubber temperature of 700C. Airborne RCFs were collected during scrubber maintenance, and their characteristics were analyzed using microscopes.
Results: The components of bulk RCFs were SiO2 and Al2O3, having an amorphous structure. Airborne RCFs were morphologically different from bulk RCFs in size, which could negatively affect maintenance
workers’ health. 58% of airborne RCFs correspond to the size of thoracic and respirable fibers. RCFs did not crystallize at high temperatures. The exposure caused by airborne RCFs during the scrubber frame assembly and insulation replacement was higher than the occupational exposure limit.
Conclusion: Workers conducting insulation replacement are likely exposed to airborne RCFs above safe exposure limits. As RCFs are suspected carcinogens, this exposure should be minimized through pre-
vention and precautionary procedures.
carcinogen that can be present in the air during bulk RCF handling. This study analyzed the physicochemical and morphological characteristics of RCFs at high temperatures and determined the exposure levels during the semiconductor scrubber maintenance.
Methods: Sampling was conducted at a company that manufactures semiconductor scrubbers using RCFs as insulation. Bulk RCF samples were collected both before and after exposure to a scrubber temperature of 700C. Airborne RCFs were collected during scrubber maintenance, and their characteristics were analyzed using microscopes.
Results: The components of bulk RCFs were SiO2 and Al2O3, having an amorphous structure. Airborne RCFs were morphologically different from bulk RCFs in size, which could negatively affect maintenance
workers’ health. 58% of airborne RCFs correspond to the size of thoracic and respirable fibers. RCFs did not crystallize at high temperatures. The exposure caused by airborne RCFs during the scrubber frame assembly and insulation replacement was higher than the occupational exposure limit.
Conclusion: Workers conducting insulation replacement are likely exposed to airborne RCFs above safe exposure limits. As RCFs are suspected carcinogens, this exposure should be minimized through pre-
vention and precautionary procedures.
Creator
Seungwhan Song, Sunju Kim, Donghyeon Kim, Chungsik Yoon
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
September 2022
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Issue 3 2022
Files
Citation
Seungwhan Song, Sunju Kim, Donghyeon Kim, Chungsik Yoon, “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Issue 3 2022
Occupational Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers in the Semiconductor Scrubber Manufacturing Industry (Original article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2290.
Occupational Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers in the Semiconductor Scrubber Manufacturing Industry (Original article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 5, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2290.