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Park DU, Zoh KE, Jeong EK, Koh DH, Lee KH, Lee N, Ha K. Assessment of Occupational Health Risks for Maintenance Work in Fabrication Facilities: Brief Review and Recommendations. Saf Health Work 2024; 15:87-95. [PMID: 38496281 PMCID: PMC10944151 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Uk Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Ehi Zoh
- Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Kyo Jeong
- Department of Industrial Safety and Health, Osan University, Osan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Koh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong-Hui Lee
- US Army 65th Medical Brigade, Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine Unit, USA
| | - Naroo Lee
- Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute, KOSHA, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwonchul Ha
- Changwon National University, Changwon, Republic of Korea
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Lee DW, Cho S, Shin A. Lymphohematopoietic cancer mortality among Korean semiconductor manufacturing workers. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1473. [PMID: 37533044 PMCID: PMC10398905 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16325-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to examine the lymphohematopoietic cancer mortality in a cohort of workers at a semiconductor manufacturing company in South Korea according to their jobs. METHODS A retrospective cohort was constructed using the personnel records of semiconductor manufacturing workers who were employed in a semiconductor company in South Korea in 1998-2012. Data on their vital status and causes of death were obtained from the National Statistical Office of South Korea. The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of lymphohematopoietic cancer were calculated. RESULTS A total of 288 deaths were reported, of which 22 were caused by lymphohematopoietic cancer, among 65,782 workers in 878,325 person-years. The SMRs for lymphohematopoietic cancer were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.39-1.40; the number of observed cases [Obs] = 11) among male workers and 1.71 (95% CI = 0.85-3.06; Obs = 11) among female workers. Among female operators, excess deaths due to lymphohematopoietic cancer (SMR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.24-4.76) and leukemia (SMR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.26-5.76) were observed. However, they were not observed among office workers, facility managers, utility managers, or process managers. CONCLUSION Female operators involved in the semiconductor wafer fabrication process had higher risk of mortality from lymphohematopoietic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Wook Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyoung Cho
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Aesun Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Nam MW, Chung J, Park S, Lee W, Park J, Koh DH, Choi S, Park JH, Park DU. Characteristics of workers' compensation claim applications for COVID-19 infections in South Korea. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2023; 61:78-87. [PMID: 35173135 PMCID: PMC9902263 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2021-0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the major industries and jobs with the highest proportion of workers' compensation (WC) claims for COVID-19, characterize COVID-19 WC claims in terms of their demographic properties and disease severity, and identify factors influencing the approval of COVID-19 WC claims as occupational disease. A total of 488 workers who submitted COVID-19-related claims to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS) from January 2020 to July 2021 were analyzed. A Fisher's exact test was employed to associate the severity of COVID-19 infection with demographic properties. The highest proportion of all COVID-19 WC claims compensated as occupational disease (N=462) were submitted by healthcare workers (HCW=233, 50%), while only 9% (N=41) of the total originated from manufacturing industries. The 5% (N=26) of the COVID-19 WC claims accepted were evaluated as severe (N=15) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (N=9). A total of 71% (N=329) of the COVID-19 patients compensated (N=462) were from workplaces with infection clusters. A total of 26 WC cases were rejected for various reasons, including unclear infection routes, infection at private gatherings (including within families), no diagnosis, and more. Given our findings, we suggest an official system should be established to detect and compensate more job-associated infectious diseases like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Woo Nam
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinjoo Chung
- Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea
| | - Woncheol Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Park
- Joint Inter-agency Chemical Emergency Preparedness Center of Ulsan, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Koh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangjun Choi
- Graduate School of Public Health and Healthcare Management, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hyun Park
- Department of Statistics, Dongguk University, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Uk Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Republic of Korea
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Kim HR, Park DU. Two Semiconductor Companies' Financial Support Compensation (FSC) Programs for Semiconductor Workers with Suspected Work-Related Diseases (WRDs). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148694. [PMID: 35886546 PMCID: PMC9318346 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study described two companies’ financial compensation programs for semiconductor workers with suspected work-related diseases (WRDs) and discussed the major related issues. The key contents of the programs found on the websites opened by two semiconductor companies (Samsung and SK Hynix) were cited. In order to select the suspected WRDs for the FSC, all available epidemiologic studies related to health problems conducted in the semiconductor industry were reviewed. Most program contents are similar, although the amount of financial compensation and a few types of disease available for compensation differ between the companies. The group of cancer, rare disease, childhood rare disease among children born to semiconductor workers (hereafter selected diseases among offspring), and fetal loss, including spontaneous abortion (SAB) and stillbirth, were considered for compensation. An employment duration of longer than one year on a semiconductor production line is required for FSC for cancer or rare disease. The FSC for SAB and offspring disease require a period of employment longer than one month, either before three months prior to conception or between conception and childbirth. The maximum amount of compensation per type of cancer and rare disease was fixed based on the medical treatment fee. The FSC programs of the two companies have been operated successfully to date. These programs are arguably considered to contribute to resolving the conflict between companies and workers with WRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
| | - Dong-Uk Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul 110-791, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-3668-4707
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Lin MW, Huang HL, Yu XR, Lin YX, Li XA, Tsui L, Young SS, Chan HL, Chou HC. Urban sediment pollutants alternate human cell essential behaviour through promoting oxidative damage. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113065. [PMID: 34920185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to establish a human cell-based platform to assess the effects of sediment toxicity on oxidative damage and cell essential behaviour. Since sediment pollution has increased as a consequence of including but not limited to industrialisation, the contaminants accumulated in sediments have already led to human health concerns. The Hsinchu Science Park is one of the most prominent semiconductor manufacturing centres in the world, and the Ke-Ya River flows through Hsinchu Science Park and the Hsinchu urban district. Because semiconductor wastes potentially contribute to higher-than-normal rates of cancers, birth defects, and serious diseases, the quality assessment of the Ke-Ya River has prompted widespread concerns. While previous studies have shown an association between the degradation of fish populations and sediment pollutants, very little is known about the issues on human health. Herein, the effects of sediment from three sediment sampling sites of the Ke-Ya River on 11 different human cell lines were directly evaluated. The upstream represents the undeveloped zone, the middle-stream represents the household/industrial wastewater zone, and the downstream represents the accumulation zone. Our results indicated that the sediment pollution of the downstream Ke-Ya River was more cytotoxic than that of the middle stream and upstream. Downstream sediment extract (DSE) significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels across all cell types. Accordingly, oxidative stress can trigger redox-sensitive pathways and alter essential biological processes such as cell viability, cell adhesion, and cell motility. Importantly, the MTT assay indicated that DSE significantly decreased the viability of brain, oral, lung, breast, liver, pancreatic, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cells. Furthermore, the adhesive ability and wound healing ability of most cells were greatly reduced in the presence of DSE compared to other conditions. Thus, this study shows the results of the first analyses completed on the sediment cytotoxicity in human cells, and stimulated ROS levels are crucial for cellular life. In future research, the detailed cause and effect mechanisms of the abundant ROS generated in DSE will be further investigated. We sincerely hope that our study provides a scientific basis for further investigations with a global perspective on public health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Wei Lin
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Lan Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Xin-Ru Yu
- Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Xuan Lin
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Xi-An Li
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Lo Tsui
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shuh-Sen Young
- Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
| | - Hong-Lin Chan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science and Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
| | - Hsiu-Chuan Chou
- Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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Choi S, Park D, Park Y. Possibility of Benzene Exposure in Workers of a Semiconductor Industry Based on the Patent Resources, 1990-2010. Saf Health Work 2021; 12:403-415. [PMID: 34527403 PMCID: PMC8430446 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the possibility of benzene exposure in workers of a Korean semiconductor manufacturing company by reviewing the issued patents. METHODS A systematic patent search was conducted with the Google "Advanced Patent Search" engine using the keywords "semiconductor" and "benzene" combined with all of the words accessed on January 24, 2016. RESULTS As a result of the search, we reviewed 75 patent documents filed by a Korean semiconductor manufacturing company from 1994 to 2010. From 22 patents, we found that benzene could have been used as one of the carbon sources in chemical vapor deposition for capacitor; as diamond-like carbon for solar cell, graphene formation, or etching for transition metal thin film; and as a solvent for dielectric film, silicon oxide layer, nanomaterials, photoresist, rise for immersion lithography, electrophotography, and quantum dot ink. CONCLUSION Considering the date of patent filing, it is possible that workers in the chemical vapor deposition, immersion lithography, and graphene formation processes could be exposed to benzene from 1996 to 2010.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangjun Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Donguk Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul, 03087, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunkyung Park
- Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk, 38430, Republic of Korea
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