4 ms·

Ask HN: Is semiconductor industry unsafe to work?

5 points by tester756 5y ago

tester756 5y ago
I'm asking in the context of this video The Semiconductor Health and Cancer Problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzxiUA9NAQ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzxiUA9NAQ0 >When we talk about semiconductor manufacturing, we might bring up images in our head of massive fabs, yellow clean rooms, and people walking around in bunny suits. >That mental image might lead us to presume semiconductor manufacturing to be this squeaky clean endeavor. >But when we say "clean", we really mean "clean" in the sense that we want to keep the product free of particles. We really have no idea what is going on in those fabs for the people working and living around there. >These companies use immense amounts of toxic and carcinogenic materials to make the beautiful chips that power our machines. And, if we were to simply look at the historical record, then there is reason for concern.
- Thetawaves 5y ago
  You should look at the dangers of hydrofluoric acid, which is utilized heavily in the manufacture of semiconductors.
- f0e4c2f7 5y ago
  It depends on what part of the supply chain you're in but yes there are generally some hazardous materials and processes around.
incomingpain 5y ago
Depending on the process used, production itself can be dangerous. Last I checked semiconductor jobs though didn't get close to danger of other jobs. Roofing? Lumber? Lots of dangerous jobs out there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_hazards_in_semiconductor_manufacturing_occupations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_hazards_in_semiconducto... There is another reality however. https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/24/ukraine-supplies-90-percent-of-us-semiconductor-grade-neon-what-it-means-to-chip-supply-chain/ https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/24/ukraine-supplies-90-perce... SMIC got sanctioned by the US government. Lets not forget about huawei situation. TSMC got double and triple booked. Hence why the USA is running their navy through the straight and super worried China is about to invade Taiwan... even though... it is china... no countries on Earth actually recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. USA, Japan, Korea obviously do have lots of fabs. There's billions of $ from all western countries going into producing new fabs all over. Intel RiscV!!! There seems to be a bottleneck and there are an awful lot of triggers ready to pull over this. The current semiconductor industry is dangerous to work for, but when these billions of new fabs get built. The oversupply of semiconductors will make working there very safe.

5 points by tester756 5y ago

I'm asking in the context of this video The Semiconductor Health and Cancer Problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzxiUA9NAQ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzxiUA9NAQ0 >When we talk about semiconductor manufacturing, we might bring up images in our head of massive fabs, yellow clean rooms, and people walking around in bunny suits. >That mental image might lead us to presume semiconductor manufacturing to be this squeaky clean endeavor. >But when we say "clean", we really mean "clean" in the sense that we want to keep the product free of particles. We really have no idea what is going on in those fabs for the people working and living around there. >These companies use immense amounts of toxic and carcinogenic materials to make the beautiful chips that power our machines. And, if we were to simply look at the historical record, then there is reason for concern.

Thetawaves 5y ago
You should look at the dangers of hydrofluoric acid, which is utilized heavily in the manufacture of semiconductors.
f0e4c2f7 5y ago
It depends on what part of the supply chain you're in but yes there are generally some hazardous materials and processes around.

incomingpain 5y ago

Depending on the process used, production itself can be dangerous. Last I checked semiconductor jobs though didn't get close to danger of other jobs. Roofing? Lumber? Lots of dangerous jobs out there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_hazards_in_semiconductor_manufacturing_occupations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_hazards_in_semiconducto... There is another reality however. https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/24/ukraine-supplies-90-percent-of-us-semiconductor-grade-neon-what-it-means-to-chip-supply-chain/ https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/24/ukraine-supplies-90-perce... SMIC got sanctioned by the US government. Lets not forget about huawei situation. TSMC got double and triple booked. Hence why the USA is running their navy through the straight and super worried China is about to invade Taiwan... even though... it is china... no countries on Earth actually recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. USA, Japan, Korea obviously do have lots of fabs. There's billions of $ from all western countries going into producing new fabs all over. Intel RiscV!!! There seems to be a bottleneck and there are an awful lot of triggers ready to pull over this. The current semiconductor industry is dangerous to work for, but when these billions of new fabs get built. The oversupply of semiconductors will make working there very safe.