A cross-sectional survey of respiratory and general health outcomes among semiconductor industry workers.

As part of the Semiconductor Health Study, we performed a cross-sectional survey to assess prevalence of specific nonreproductive health outcomes and their association with occupational exposures. A total of 3,175 persons from eight manufacturing sites across the U.S. completed a health and work questionnaire (78% participation rate). After adjusting for confounders, responses from fabrication room (fab) workers indicated a greater risk than those of nonfab workers for upper respiratory symptoms (relative risk [RR] = 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.13); a dose-response effect with hours per day spent in fabs was observed. Fab workers also had greater prevalence for persistent wheezing (RR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.15-2.87), dermatitis within the past year (RR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.04-1.35), and alopecia (RR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.16-2.54). Female sex, a somatization index score, and smoking were important nonoccupational covariates. Increased respiratory symptoms may result from occupational exposures in fabs; further research is needed to identify causal agents and develop prevention strategies.

A cross-sectional study of musculoskeletal symptoms and risk factors in semiconductor workers.

As part of the cross-sectional component of the Semiconductor Health Study, we assessed prevalence of specific musculoskeletal symptoms and their association with possible ergonomic risk factors. A total of 3,175 persons (78% participation rate) from eight manufacturing sites across the U.S. completed a health and work questionnaire. Using logistic regression methods to adjust for nonoccupational factors, we compared musculoskeletal symptom (self report) prevalence among fabrication room (fab) and nonfab workers, among specific work process groups, and among workers exposed to selected ergonomic stressors. Overall, seven of 12 musculoskeletal outcomes were significantly more prevalent among fab workers. Distal upper-extremity symptoms were more common among fab than nonfab workers [relative risk (RR) = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26-1.63] and showed a dose-response effect with hours per day spent in the fab; increased risk was associated with frequency of lifting and with use of vacuum wands and projection aligners. Female sex and high somatization index score were associated with increased reporting for all musculoskeletal outcomes.

Fertility history of currently employed male semiconductor workers.

Fertility among men working in semiconductor manufacturing during 1984-89 was assessed in a 1990-91 cross-sectional study of eight companies. Men working in wafer fabrication rooms (fabs) (n = 241, 165 births) were compared to men in nonfabrication (nonfab) jobs (n = 447, 300 births). Results showed that 17% of fab men and 14% of nonfab men reported ever trying for > or = 1 year to conceive [relative risk (RR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83-1.74]. Crude birth rates (births/1,000 person months) were similar [15 fab, 17 nonfab; crude fertility ratio (FR) = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.86-1.36], as were birth rates adjusted by Cox models for confounders (adjusted FR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.80-1.19, p = 0.79). Fab men who worked in furnace, thin-film, or ion implantation areas were more likely than nonfab men to report previous difficulty conceiving (25%, RR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.09-2.94), and their past fertility was lower (nine births/1,000 person months; crude FR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.40-1.02; adjusted FR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.50-1.09, p = 0.12). Problems included lack of contraception data and misclassification of fab subgroups.