LCD Production safety

[4Sticks]

A recent article in the BBC stated that LCDs are manufacured in such a way that workers are exposed to toxic materials(very small atomized particles are sprayed onto the panels) that are now believed to cause serious and sometimes fatal respiratory problems for workers.
There seems to be an awareness of LCD safety at the consumer end but not at the production end. Does anyone know if any of the manufacturers are taking precautions to prevent worker injury in the production of these panels.?

 

[Atomicus]

workers paving asphalt also have the same ordeal. point being?

 

[alent1234]

this is the reason production of these things is moved out of the US. Safety isn't important.

 

[4Sticks]

In Europe & North America industry has to meet saftey codes and restrictions. In China this is not the case.

 

[ronnn]

Thanks for the info. Now I have one more thing to research. :disgust:

 

[NightTrain]

I wondered why I always start breathing heavily watching porn on my 2005fpw.

 

[Megatomic]

They should wear respirators while they're spraying the coatings now shouldn't they? You can bet I wear one when I need to.

 

[alent1234]

Originally posted by: 4Sticks
In Europe & North America industry has to meet saftey codes and restrictions. In China this is not the case.

the chinese might as well have souls to satan. when their workers demand safety regs and all the crap people expect in the US and Europe the factory owners will move on to the next country that is willing to take them.

 

[rbV5]

A recent article in the BBC stated that LCDs are manufacured in such a way that workers are exposed to toxic materials(very small atomized particles are sprayed onto the panels) that are now believed to cause serious and sometimes fatal respiratory problems for workers.

Link?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
They should wear respirators while they're spraying the coatings now shouldn't they? You can bet I wear one when I need to.

Where are they going to buy industrial-strength respirators, in China, if they're only paid itty-bitty wages, and cannot source and/or afford to buy one of those, and yet, their employer won't provide one for them, but they feel like they can't quit their jobs, because their family depends upon them and their income, which is higher than some other non-industrial jobs? Hmm.

Edit: Btw, if you think that LCD mfg is bad for the workers - look into how batteries are made at most far-eastern plants. That should be a real eye-opener.

 

[Megatomic]

It's a real catch22 for them, that's for sure.

 

[ShadowBlade]

Originally posted by: NightTrain
I wondered why I always start breathing heavily watching porn on my 2005fpw.

LOL

 

[4Sticks]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4120401.stm

Flat screen TVs, Computer LCDs and Plasmas are all mentioned

Life expectancy for workers getting sick from exposure to aerosols in manufacuring =5years for 50%of victims

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: NightTrain
I wondered why I always start breathing heavily watching porn on my 2005fpw.

 

[alent1234]

the ironic thing is that the penetration of the internet in the US helps democracy, kids, etc. This penetration is only made possible by poor working conditions overseas and the cheap products they make. If the stuff was made in western countries then PC's would still cost $5000 like they did in the 1990's and only the wealthy would be able to afford one. That would mean no broadband for the masses, etc.

 

[ronnn]

This subject is a downer. I was looking forward to a nice 19 or 20" lcd, but not so sure now. Really don't want to be a silent killer. :thumbsdown:

 

[rbV5]

Lets be realistic here:

Only one previous incident of a fatality due to inhaling ITO has been documented.

Not to downplay the seriousness of worker health issues, but they didn't just start manufacturing Flat panel displays yesterday. After reading the article, it states the worker had developed "pulmonary fibrosis" and "emphysema" and had worked manufacturing these displays for 4 years and repeatedly exposed to the aerosol containing indium-tin oxide and that they found traces in his lungs.

Was he a smoker? Did he live in a heavily industrial region with poor air quality? Did he ignore company safety policies? He is being treated in Japan, why is the assumption that he was working in some 3rd world country with poor working conditions? Do they transport their injured workers to Japan for medical treatment? Do Japanese manufacturing workers have poor working conditions and safety practices? What about his co-workers?

 

[ronnn]

This of course is the problem. Real facts and details will be hard to get from many of these countries. Am sure the story will either be disproved or will continue to grow. Either way, am sure that I can afford to buy from a company that has decent worker safety. Same as shoes, I don't buy child labour. So hopefully the big companies like Samsung will anounce verifiable safe practices.

 

[JuicyLucy]

Originally posted by: 4Sticks


Life expectancy for workers getting sick from exposure to aerosols in manufacuring =5years for 50%of victims

As long as I can get a 19" LCD for $300, I could care less about people in other countries

 

[Keyvan]

are there any alternatives other than not to use a computer.
i'm just gonna venture a guess that whatever CRT manuf. plants left aren't exactly day spas either and the monitor itself usually ends up as an environmental hazard when it gets thrown out.

anyone know any dirty secrets on projectors?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: JuicyLucy

Originally posted by: 4Sticks
Life expectancy for workers getting sick from exposure to aerosols in manufacuring =5years for 50%of victims

As long as I can get a 19" LCD for $300, I could care less about people in other countries

No blood for LCDs!!!

(*chuckle* ... sorry, it had to be said... )

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: JuicyLucy
As long as I can get a 19" LCD for $300, I could care less about people in other countries

Hope there is a job left for yourself, after you have farmed out all the work to a disposable labour pool. Protecting their safety also in the long run protects yours.