Effect of occupational safety measures on micronucleus frequency in semiconductor workers

Abstract

These findings indicate that exposed workers in the semiconductor industry may have an increased risk of genotoxic effects from complex mixtures of chemical waste products. The decline of the mean level of micronuclei in exposed workers down to the base level of controls after implementation of protective measures points to the significance of adequate safety standards to protect against chromosomal damage in semiconductor personnel.

The health impacts of semiconductor production: an epidemiologic review

“…93 In addition, genotoxic effects (increased frequency of micronuclei in leukocytes) were identified among exposed workers though their urine and airborne concentrations of chemicals yielded results consistent with air levels below regulatory standards. 94 Sometimes, alternative materials to replace toxic chemicals were proven to be also harmful; for example, propylene glycol ether introduced as a substitute for EGE was also found to be hazardous. 95 Furthermore, it should be noted that along with the expansion of the global supply chain, developing countries such as China, Eastern Europe, and South America are rising as a new production base, which have less resources, weak regulations, and insufficient surveillance systems.…”