Health and environmental effects document for photovoltaic energy systems, 1982
This report examines health and environmental risks associated with the fabrication and application of five photovoltaic energy systems. Detailed process-level analysis of fabrication alternatives suggests that most potential waste streams can be controlled with available technology. Only fluorine and cadmium compounds are likely to cause serious disposal problems. Occupational risks from accidental injuries are quantified and illness-related effects are examined. Although significant illness-related effects are not expected, potential chemical and physical hazards found in the workplace merit careful consideration. Public health risks from pollutants emitted throughout the energy cycle and physical hazards associated with rooftop applications are reviewed. The risks from pollutants seem to be larger, but they are highly uncertain. Risks to individuals from electric shock and fire may be significant, but societal risks are probably small. Environmental hazards arise principally from food-chain mobility of selected chemicals and direct physical disruption associated with large central-station applications. Research needed to reduce uncertainties in risk assessment include examination of new materials and processes, and measurement of public/occupational exposure to hazardous chemical and physical environments.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 5917586
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-51599; ON: DE83017827
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140400 -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
CADMIUM SULFIDE SOLAR CELLS
CASTING
CRYSTAL GROWTH METHODS
CZOCHRALSKI METHOD
DENDRITIC WEB GROWTH METHOD
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC SHOCK
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FIRE HAZARDS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
POWER SUPPLIES
PUBLIC HEALTH
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS