Safety and Health at Work

  • 제10권4호
  • /
  • Pages.409-419
  • /
  • 2019
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  • 2093-7911(pISSN)
  • /
  • 2093-7997(eISSN)
산업안전보건연구원 (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
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Worker Safety in the Rare Earth Elements Recycling Process From the Review of Toxicity and Issues

  • Shin, Seo-Ho (Chemicals Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA) ;
  • Kim, Hyun-Ock (Chemicals Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA) ;
  • Rim, Kyung-Taek (Chemicals Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA)
  • 투고 : 2019.04.09
  • 심사 : 2019.08.26
  • 발행 : 2019.12.30
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초록

Although the rare earth elements (REEs) recycling industry is expected to increase worldwide in hightech industry, regulations for worker safety have yet to be established. This study was conducted to understand the potential hazard/risk of REE recycling and to support the establishment of regulations or standards. We review the extensive literature on the toxicology, occupational safety, and health issues, and epidemiological surveys related to the REEs, and propose suitable management measures. REE recycling has four key steps such as collection, dismantling, separation, and processing. In these processes, hazardous substances, such as REEs-containing dust, metals, and chemicals, were used or occurred, including the risk of ignition and explosion, and the workers can be easily exposed to them. In addition, skin irritation and toxicities for respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with the liver toxicity were reported; however, more supplementary data are needed, owing to incompleteness. Therefore, monitoring systems concerning health, environmental impacts, and safety need to be established, based on additional research studies. It is also necessary to develop innovative and environment-friendly recycling technologies, analytical methods, and biomarkers with government support. Through these efforts, the occupational safety and health status will be improved, along with the establishment of advanced REE recycling industry.

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