Objectives

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.

Methods

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.

Results

The level of exposure to total indium ranged from 0.9 to 609.3 μg/m³ for the sputtering target companies; from 0.2 to 2,782.0 μg/m³ for the panel display companies and from 0.5 to 2,089.9 μg/m³ for the indium recycling companies. The level of exposure to respirable indium was in the range of 0.02 to 448.6 μg/m³ for the sputtering target companies; 0.01 to 419.5 μg/m³ for the panel display companies; and 0.5 to 436.3 μg/m³ 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.

Conclusions

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.

中文翻译：

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大韩民国电子行业工人接触铟化合物

目标

本研究的目的是为大韩民国从事电子和相关行业的工人的铟暴露评估提供基线数据，并防止其对健康造成不利影响。

方法

在以下 19 个工作场所使用个人空气采样监测员工的总 (n = 369) 和可吸入 (n = 384) 铟浓度：6 家溅射靶材制造公司、4 家面板显示器制造公司、2 家从事溅射部件清洁的公司，两家专门从事溅射靶材清洗的公司，以及五家铟回收公司。

结果

溅射靶材公司的总铟暴露水平范围为 0.9 至 609.3 μg/m ³；0.2 至 2,782.0 μg/m ³面板显示器公司和 0.5 至 2,089.9 μg/m ³铟回收公司。溅射靶材公司暴露于可吸入铟的水平在 0.02 至 448.6 μg/m ³的范围内；0.01～419.5 μg/m ³面板显示企业；对于铟回收公司，0.5 至 436.3 μg/m ³。铟回收企业超过铟暴露标准的样品最多，其次是溅射靶材企业和面板显示企业。

结论

该暴露评估的主要发现是，许多在电子行业处理铟化合物的工人暴露于超出铟暴露标准的铟水平。因此，有必要持续监测这些劳动力的铟暴露情况，并采取措施降低其暴露水平。