SIA Evaluates Cancer Risk for Semiconductor Workers

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is seeking proposals from interested investigators, including universities, colleges, laboratories, and governmental agencies, to conduct an epidemiological study to assess cancer risk among U.S. wafer fabrication workers from the late 1960s to the present.

“The SIA study will be one of the largest industry-sponsored epidemiological studies ever undertaken," said George Scalise, president of the SIA, in a statement. "The study will review data on more than 200,000 people who worked in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing facilities from the late 1960s to the present time in an effort to determine whether there is an increased risk of cancer related to working in such facilities. Circulation of a request for proposals to potential independent investigators is an important milestone in an ongoing effort by the industry to ensure a reliable, scientifically valid study of potential cancer risks in the semiconductor industry.”

This action follows SIA’s other activities surrounding the physical health of industry workers. In 1999, the group created an independent panel of workplace health experts, known as the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), to review available records and determine if there was any evidence of increased cancer risk among wafer fabrication workers in the U.S. semiconductor industry. After an 18-month study, the SAC reported that it found no affirmative evidence of increased cancer risk among semiconductor workers but that it had not found sufficient data to determine whether exposure to chemicals or other hazardous materials created an increased risk of cancer. The SAC recommended that the SIA conduct a retrospective epidemiological study, if feasible, to evaluate potential cancer risk to semiconductor workers.

Then in 2002, the SIA contracted with the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Bloomberg School of Public Health to conduct the feasibility study recommended by the SAC. The JHU researchers recently completed a comprehensive, 11-month review of historical records on job descriptions, chemical exposures, industrial hygiene, manufacturing processes and equipment, and employee health. In March of this year, the JHU researchers submitted their preliminary report that sufficient records do exist to conduct a scientifically valid epidemiological study, after which the board of the SIA voted to proceed with the recommended study.

The SIA hopes to select a research team in Q1 2005 for the proposed study, which would take from three to five years to complete and be funded by SIA member companies.