Health issues in the microelectronics industry

Since 1948, when microelectronics entered the American industrial scene, the rapid growth and advancing technology of the industry has caused production facilities to be spread throughout most industrialized areas in the United States. It is now speculated that microelectronics production will be the fourth largest industry in the United States by the end of the century. This article addresses the questions raised about the safety of this industry both for its workers and for the communities in which production facilities are located.