Biological Assessment of Potential Exposure to Occupational Substances in Current Semiconductor Workers with at Least 5 Years of Employment

Kyungsik Kim, Ho Kyung Sung, Jieun Jang, Chang-Mo Kang, Kwan Lee and Sue K. Park
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Kyungsik Kim: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Daehak-ro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea
Ho Kyung Sung: National Medical Center, Institute for Public Healthcare, Eulji-ro 245, Jung-gu, Seoul 04564, Korea
Jieun Jang: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Daehak-ro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea
Chang-Mo Kang: Research Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Nowon-ro 75, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Korea
Kwan Lee: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
Sue K. Park: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Daehak-ro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Background: this study aimed to conduct a biological assessment of the potential exposure to carcinogenic substances in current semiconductor workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 306 semiconductor workers. The assessed biomarkers were as follows: (benzene) urine S-phenylmercapturic, trans,trans-muconic acid, blood benzene; (trichloroethylene) urine trichloroacetic acid; (2-ethoxyethanol) 2-ethoxyacetic acid; (arsine) urine arsenic3+, arsenic5+, monomethylarsonic, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine; (shift work) 6-hydroxymelatonin; (smoking) cotinine, and (radiation). The detection rate of these materials is defined as more than the biological exposure index (BEI) or the previous reference value. Results: Some workers exposed to trans,trans-muconic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and arsenic5+ showed high BEI levels. Generally, there was no difference according to job categories, and workers were suspected to be exposed to other sources. The melatonin concentration tended to decrease when working at night, and cotinine was identified as an excellent surrogate marker for smoking. In the case of radiation exposure, there was no significant difference in the number of stable chromosome translocation in 19 semiconductor workers. Their estimated radiation exposure level was below the limit of detection (LOD) or near the LOD level. Conclusion: In this study, most carcinogens were below the BEI level, but verification through re-measurement was needed for workers who were identified to have a high BEI level. For continuous monitoring, a prospective cohort is necessary to deal with the healthy worker effect and assess additional materials.

Keywords: biological exposure indices; carcinogen; occupational substances; semiconductor worker; surrogate marker (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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