A. Depeyster et Ja. Silvers, ARSENIC LEVELS IN HAIR OF WORKERS IN A SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITY, American Industrial Hygiene Association journal, 56(4), 1995, pp. 377-383
This study examined the relationship between total arsenic levels in h
air of employees in a semiconductor fabrication facility and job respo
nsibility, a surrogate variable for arsenic exposure potential. Mainte
nance personnel who regularly worked in equipment cleaning areas were
assumed to have higher potential for occupational exposure than other
employees. Occipital scalp hair samples were collected from 30 mainten
ance personnel, supervisors, and equipment engineers with high, medium
, and low potential for exposure and from 26 administrative employees.
Total arsenic in hair was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy
with hydride generation. Workplace air and wipe samples were analyzed
to verify differing exposure potential in fabrication and administrati
ve areas. Subjects completed written questionnaires to identify possib
le nonoccupational sources of arsenic. Mean hair arsenic in two of the
three groups working in or near fabrication areas was slightly higher
but not statistically different from that of administrative controls.
Eliminating smokers, only the maintenance group regularly assigned to
fabrication areas was higher than administrative controls but still n
ot statistically different. A regression analyst of all factors indica
ted that sex tapwater consumption, and dietary habits were significant
contributors to arsenic in hair. Trends among these groups were consi
stent with expected exposure potential, although not dramatically diff
erent from controls. Main study conclusions were that (1) nonoccupatio
nal sources of arsenic can be expected to contribute more to hair leve
ls in employees than that observed in this particular semiconductor wo
rk environment, where safe work practices were believed to be followed
; and (2) monitoring should be considered in this industry to identify
employees experiencing chronic, low-level arsenic exposures only if t
he facility also examines nonoccupational sources of exposure. Further
study is needed to correlate hair arsenic level with internal body bu
rden of those species of arsenic primarily responsible for its toxic e
ffects.