Biomonitoring of CdTe PV manufacturing and recycling workers

Abstract

Biomonitoring data from nearly 3,000 workers over a five year period (2009-2014) from First Solar's CdTe photovoltaics manufacturing and recycling facility in Malaysia were evaluated to determine longitudinal trends in the body burden of Cd in workers. Biomonitoring data consisted of baseline and periodic sampling of blood and urine Cd, with workers grouped according to gender, smoking status, and potential occupational exposure risk to Cd compounds. Average worker blood and urine Cd concentrations were below occupational biological limits and background values, and show a statistically significant decreasing trend as a function of years worked for non-smokers. For smokers, smoking is the predominant factor affecting blood Cd results among First Solar Malaysia workers.