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Printed circuit board industry.
1Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143-0924, USA. joeladou@aol.com
Summary
Printed circuit board manufacturing involves hazardous chemicals, posing risks to workers and the environment. Recent regulations aim to reduce lead use and improve safety in this evolving high-technology industry.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are fundamental to electronics, evolving from low-tech to high-tech manufacturing.
- PCB production is complex, involving over 50 steps, often in cleanroom environments.
- Asia dominates global PCB production, utilizing significant quantities of hazardous chemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent regulatory and enforcement efforts in the printed circuit board industry.
- To highlight the health and safety challenges associated with PCB manufacturing.
- To address the environmental impact of hazardous chemicals used in PCB production.
Main Methods:
- Review of regulatory actions and enforcement data.
- Analysis of chemical usage in PCB manufacturing, particularly in Asian countries.
- Examination of historical worker exposure to toxic substances.
Main Results:
- PCB manufacturing employs hazardous chemicals like glycol ethers, formaldehyde, dimethylformamide, and lead.
- Decades of intensive chemical use have exposed workers to reproductive toxicants and carcinogens.
- Significant quantities of lead are distributed globally by the PCB industry, with recent efforts to reduce its use.
Conclusions:
- The printed circuit board industry faces significant health, safety, and environmental challenges due to chemical use.
- Regulatory and enforcement actions are increasingly focusing on mitigating risks associated with PCB manufacturing.
- Reducing hazardous chemical use and lead distribution is crucial for a sustainable electronics industry.