Birth Defects From Exposure Semiconductor Chip Manufacturing Solvents

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, pregnant women who are exposed in their jobs to organic solvents such as those used in the computer chip industry have 13-times greater risk of major malformations in their babies, and an increased risk for miscarriages, than women who are not exposed to solvents.

Types of Birth Defects associated with computer chip solvents:

Cleft Lip and Palate

An oral cleft is a split or separation in the baby's lip and/or palate. Cleft lip means that the two sides of the upper lip did not grow together properly. Cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. Although cleft lip and cleft palate may occur in the same baby, both conditions can happen separately. The opening in the lip or palate may only on one side or on both sides.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is an abnormal build up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain that causes ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance in the amount of CSF being produced and absorbed.

Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects are serious birth defects which involve incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord and/or the protective coverings of these organs. There are three types of NTDs - anencephaly, encephalocele, and spina bifida. 

Anencephaly: Babies born with this birth defect have underdeveloped brains and incomplete skulls. Most infants born with anecephaly do not survive more than a few hours after birth. 

Encephalocele: A birth defect that results in a hole in the skull through which tissue protrudes. Although most babies with encephalocele do not live or are severely retarded, a few children have survived because of early surgery to correct the defect. 

Spina Bifida: A birth defect of the spinal column (backbone) that is sometimes called "cleft or open spine". Spina bifida can range from a mild defect that causes no problems to a serious condition involving muscle paralysis, loss of feeling, infection and loss of bowel and bladder control. 70-90% of children born with the more severe types of spina bifida will also have hydrocephalus, a build up of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by surgically implanting a drain or "shunt" to relieve the fluid pressure on the brain. 

Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect where all or parts of the small intestine and other internal organs are on the outside of the abdomen. The umbilical cord is usually attached to the abdominal wall to the left of the defect. Other problems include a small abdominal cavity and the absence of a protective sac covering the exposed organs.

Heart Defects

The heart is a pump made of muscle that is divided into four chambers. Blood is pumped into these chambers through four valves that open and control blood flow. Blood from the body that is low in oxygen is pumped through the heart where it receives a new supply of oxygen from the lungs before going back into circulation in the body. A heart defect is any abnormality of the heart's structure or function that affects this process.

If you believe your child suffered birth defect as a result of working with organic solvents at your employment, contact us to determine your legal rights.

Dangerous Chemicals of Concern in the Semiconductor Industry

Ethylene Glycol Ethers (EGE)

Are a group of organic solvents widely used in the microchip industry especially in Photoresist. Their reproductive toxcity has been well documented in animal studies. A human study of 1,150 semiconductor manufacturing workers 561 female employees and 589 wives of male employees showed increased risks of spontaneous abortions, miscarriages and subfertility.

Fabrication of semiconductor chips and integrated circuits involves a series of chemical processes such as photolithography, patterning, etching, junction formation, oxidation, layer deposition and metallization. EGE and their acetates, used as components of photoresist- a photo sensitive material used to coat the wafer during patterning. Wafer fabrication is done in clean room environments where air is circulated through high speed filters to remove particles that can settle on the wafer and interfere with the circuit formation. However, this filtration process does not remove gases or vapors from the room and may enhance exposure.

Acetone

Inhalation of moderate to high levels causes nose, throat, lung, and eye irritation; confusion; and possibly coma. Ingestion of very high levels causes unconsciousness and damage to the skin in the mouth. Long-term exposure in animals causes kidney, liver, and nerve damage; increased birth defects; and lowered ability to reproduce in males

Arsenic

At low levels causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, and blood vessel damage.
At high levels over 60 parts per million causes tissue damage (nerves, stomach, intestine, skin) and may be fatal. Chronic exposure causes lung cancer and it is a known human carcinogen.

Arsine

Causes headache; malaise; weakness; dizziness; dyspnea; abdominal and back pain; nausea; vomiting; jaundice; peripheral neuropathy; and damage to the blood, kidneys, and liver.

Benzene

Causes damage to bone marrow and decreased production of red blood cells leading to anemia, excessive bleeding, immune system effects, increased chance of infection, reproductive effects, and leukemia Benzene is a known human carcinogen.

Cadmium

Causes lung damage, renal dysfunction, hepatic injury, bone defects, hypertension, reproductive toxicity, and teratogenicity. Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen

Hydrochloric Acid

Highly corrosive, Causes severe eye and skin burns and conjunctivitis; prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Inhalation causes severe respiratory irritation with coughing, burns, breathing difficulty, and possible coma. Ingestion causes digestive tract irritation, abdominal pain, vomiting, and possible death. Also causes photosensitization in certain individuals and circulatory system failure

Lead

Damages kidneys and the immune system. Causes premature birth; low birth weight; decreased mental ability; learning deficits in children; decreased reaction time; weakness in fingers, wrists, and ankles; anemia; memory effects; spontaneous abortion; and damage to the male reproductive system

Methyl Chloroform

Causes headache; CNS depression; poor equilibrium; eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation; and cardiac arrhythmia

Toluene

Long-term exposure to low to moderate levels causes tiredness, confusion, weakness, memory loss, nausea, and hearing loss. Inhalation of high levels over a short period of time can cause permanent damage to the brain and speech, vision and hearing problems, loss of muscle control, and poor balance. Causes neurological problems and retarded growth in children. Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen

Trichloroethylene

Irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Inhalation causes dizziness, sleepiness, and headache. Chronic exposure causes speech and hearing impairment, kidney disease, blood disorders, stroke, anemia, diabetes, and skin rashes. Probable human carcinogen.