Environmental, health and safety issues associated with the manufacture and use of II–VI photovoltaic devices

Federal and state agencies have classified cadmium and selenium compounds as hazardous. Consequently, facilities using these materials are subject to various regulations and guidelines developed by these agencies. The intent of these guidelines is to protect worker and public health from accidental and routine chemical exposures. In this context, the agencies provide specific limits on public and occupational exposures, and generalized guidance on methods or approaches for attaining such limits. This paper gives background information on the toxicology and pharmacology of cadmium and selenium compounds, and reviews several newly proposed or adopted Federal and state regulations which can affect photovoltaic manufacturing facility operations using these and other similar chemicals.