Toxicology of tetramethyltin and other organometals used in photovoltaic cell manufacture
In photovoltaic cell fabrication, organometals (alkyl metals) may be used in such processes as metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, transparent contact oxide deposition, doping, and ion implantation. Although these compounds offer potential performance advantages over earth metals and possibly greater safety in handling than metal hydrides, they are not without risk to health and property. Most organometals can ignite spontaneously in air. Some also react violently with water. Oxidation by-products from these reactions are hazardous to health. Of the organometals used in photovoltaic cell fabrication, only the toxicology of organotins (triethyl-, trimethyl- and tetramethyltin) was studied extensively. In mammalian systems, tetramethyltin is rapidly dealkylated to trimethyltin. Although tin was classified by some investigators as an essential trace element, the effects of organotin compounds on humans are poorly known. Animal studies show that the most prominent effects of trimethyltin are on the central nervous system. Several observations of poisoning were reported; effects ranged from reversible neurologic disorders to death. Limited available data suggest that humans respond to single acute doses and more alarmingly to repeated sub-toxic doses, suggesting a cumulative effect. Toxicologic properties of diethyltelluride also were evaluated in animal experiments. The compound had toxic effects on the blood, liver, kidney, heart, and skin. Based on these studies and others of related compounds (e.g., methylmercury, tributyltin) extreme caution should be exercised in using organometal compounds in photovoltaic cell manufacturing.
- Research Organization:
- Biomedical and Environmental Assessment Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973
- OSTI ID:
- 7229127
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-880112-
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conf. Proc.; (United States), Vol. 166:1; Conference: Photovoltaics safety conference, Denver, CO, USA, 19 Jan 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS HANDLING
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
FABRICATION
BNL
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
CRYSTAL DOPING
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
ION IMPLANTATION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
CHEMICAL COATING
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
SAFETY
SURFACE COATING
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
140400* - Solar Energy- Environmental Aspects
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
140501 - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion