Jordana M. De Leon, BS and Navid Behrooz, BS. School of Public Health and Health Services, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 118, Washington, DC 20037, 301-792-3165, jmdeleon@gwu.edu

Background Renewed scientific and legal interests have focused on the association between semiconductor manufacturing and brain cancer. Workers from multiple semiconductor manufacturing facilities have a reported higher incidence of brain cancer compared to the general population, possibly due to chemical exposure in the manufacturing process. Objectives This paper focuses on the current research on the association between semiconductor manufacturing and brain cancer. Results The semiconductor manufacturing clean room environment is deficient in protecting workers from exposure to fumes of chemicals, through poor ventilation systems and dehydrating temperatures. The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used inadequately protects workers, allowing chemical exposure via skin contact. Current cancer epidemiology studies report the following: 1) Brain cancer cases among video display terminal (VDT) workers with 10 or more years of employment had an odds of exposure to electromagnetic field and chemical and physical agents at OR = 1.5; (95% CI = 07-3.1), and 2) Brain cancer incidence was 4 times more than expected among semiconductor manufacturing workers (SMR = 401). The studies have limitations that include statistically insignificant data, small sample sizes, and possible exposure misclassification. Conclusions Further evidence is necessary to corroborate the association between semiconductor manufacturing and brain cancer. The following are recommendations to strengthen the data, and improve worker health and safety: 1) Better surveillance and monitoring, 2) Conduct cancer epidemiology studies in semiconductor companies, 3) Fund further toxicology studies of chemicals used in the semiconductor industry, 4) Improve legislation, and 5) Redesign and implement strict and proper use of PPE.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the session, the participants will be able to articulate current data on the association between semiconductor manufacturing and brain cancer, and list recommendations to strengthen this association and improve semiconductor manufacturing worker health and safety.

Keywords: Cancer, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.