Yi Gwangyong, Jeong Jeeyeon, Bae Yasung, Shin Jungah, Ma Hyelan, Lee Naroo, Park Seung-Hyun, Park Dooyong
Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute, KOSHA, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Saf Health Work. 2021 Jun;12(2):238-243. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.11.002. Epub 2020 Nov 17.
The aim of this study was to provide baseline data for the assessment of exposure to indium and to prevent adverse health effects among workers engaged in the electronics and related industries in Republic of Korea.
Total (n = 369) and respirable (n = 384) indium concentrations were monitored using personal air sampling in workers at the following 19 workplaces: six sputtering target manufacturing companies, four manufacturing companies of panel displays, two companies engaged in cleaning of sputtering components, two companies dedicated to the cleaning of sputtering target, and five indium recycling companies.
The level of exposure to total indium ranged from 0.9 to 609.3 μg/m for the sputtering target companies; from 0.2 to 2,782.0 μg/m for the panel display companies and from 0.5 to 2,089.9 μg/m for the indium recycling companies. The level of exposure to respirable indium was in the range of 0.02 to 448.6 μg/m for the sputtering target companies; 0.01 to 419.5 μg/m for the panel display companies; and 0.5 to 436.3 μg/m for the indium recycling companies. The indium recycling companies had the most samples exceeding the exposure standard for indium, followed by sputtering target companies and panel display companies.
The main finding from this exposure assessment is that many workers who handle indium compounds in the electronics industry are exposed to indium levels that exceed the exposure standards for indium. Hence, it is necessary to continuously monitor the indium exposure of this workforce and take measures to reduce its exposure levels.
本研究旨在提供评估铟暴露情况的基线数据，以预防韩国电子及相关行业工人出现不良健康影响。
通过个人空气采样，对以下19个工作场所的工人进行了总铟（n = 369）和可吸入铟（n = 384）浓度监测：6家溅射靶材制造公司、4家平板显示器制造公司、2家从事溅射部件清洗的公司、2家专门从事溅射靶材清洗的公司以及5家铟回收公司。
溅射靶材公司的总铟暴露水平在0.9至609.3μg/m之间；平板显示器公司为0.2至2,782.0μg/m；铟回收公司为0.5至2,089.9μg/m。溅射靶材公司的可吸入铟暴露水平在0.02至448.6μg/m之间；平板显示器公司为0.01至419.5μg/m；铟回收公司为0.5至436.3μg/m。铟回收公司超过铟暴露标准的样本最多，其次是溅射靶材公司和平板显示器公司。
此次暴露评估的主要发现是，电子行业中许多处理铟化合物的工人所接触的铟水平超过了铟的暴露标准。因此，有必要持续监测该劳动力群体的铟暴露情况，并采取措施降低其暴露水平。
