Hazardous characterization and management of tetramethyl tin in the production of photovoltaic cell transparent conductive oxide layers

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6608456

Kalb, P D; Moskowitz, P D

Tetramethyl tin (TMT) has been used by the photovoltaics industry to prepare transparent conductive oxide films on glass. Significant health hazards, however may be associated with the use of TMT. Short-term exposures to TMT vapors in excess of accepted exposure limits can produce a range of physiological symptoms. Although less is known about the hazards from prolonged exposure to low levels of TMT, some studies suggest that effects are both cumulative and persistent. TMT also is highly flammable and emits toxic fumes on decomposition. In an occupational setting, workers may be routinely or accidentally exposed to TMT liquids or vapors. Approaches for controlling these occupational hazards are described. Analysis suggests that routine emissions from large scale manufacturing facilities using TMT will need to be reduced by approximately 90% to comply with toxic gas containment guidelines to protect public health. Thermal afterburners combined with particle filtration may be used to meet these guidelines. Accidental release of the total inventory of TMT at a large-scale plant may present hazards to individuals living about 1 km from the facility's boundary. Because of these hazards, strategies to prevent in-plant release coupled with community emergency response programs are needed. 36 refs., 3 figs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6608456
• Report Number(s): BNL-52123; ON: DE89005936
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EMERGENCY PLANS
FABRICATION
FLAMMABILITY
FLUIDS
GASES
GLASS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SURFACE COATING
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TIN COMPOUNDS
TIN OXIDES
TOXICITY
VAPORS