Leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in semiconductor industry workers in Korea

Reports of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), cancers known to have a similar pathophysiology, among workers in the semiconductor industry have generated much public concern in Korea. This paper describes cases reported to the NGO Supporters for the Health and Rights of People in the Semiconductor Industry (SHARPs). We identified demographic characteristics, occupational, and disease history, for 17 leukemia and NHL cases from the Giheung Samsung semiconductor plant, diagnosed from November 2007 to January 2011. Patients were relatively young (mean=28.5 years, SD=6.5) at the time of diagnosis and the mean latency period was 104.3 months (SD=65.8). Majority of the cases were fabrication operators (11 workers among 17) and 12 were hired before 2000. Six cases worked in the etching or diffusion process. The evidence to confirm the causal relationship between exposures in the semiconductor industry and leukemia or NHL remains insufficient and a more formal, independent study of the exposure-disease relationship in this occupation is needed. However, workers should be protected from the potential exposures immediately.