Health hazards in semiconductor manufacturing occupations is an issue in occupational hygiene due to the chemical hazard encountered in the semiconductor industry. Health manifestations due to low level exposure to toxins may take decades to surface.
Use of toxic materials such as arsine, phosphine and others potentially expose workers to health hazards which include cancer, miscarriages and birth defects.
Protective gear issued to workers protects the products and process from contamination by workers but is not designed to protect workers from contamination by the process, products and materials.
The use of vast variety of toxic chemicals in semiconductor manufacturing makes it difficult to evaluate or pin-point the possibilities of contamination.
There is comparatively extremely low rate of physical accidents in the semiconductor industry.
Semiconductor industry has been ranked the top 5% for workplace health and safety among U.S. companies since 1972.
A Scientific Advisory Committee funded by the Semiconductor Industry Association concluded there was no evidence of increased cancer risk to cleanroom workers, although it could not rule out the possibility that circumstances might exist that could result in increased risk.
