Abstract
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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 847-860 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | American Journal of Industrial Medicine |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| State | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- lower airway symptoms
- occupational asthma
- occupational health
- questionnaire data
- respiratory symptoms
- semiconductor manufacturing
- upper airway symptoms
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health