Health and safety issues related to the production, use and disposal of cadmium-based photovoltaic modules

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.1990.111776· OSTI ID:6703227

Moskowitz, P D; Fthenakis, V M ^[1]; Zweibel, K ^[2]

---

1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
2. Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)

This paper discusses environmental, health and safety issues associated with the use of cadmium in thin-film cadmium telluride photovoltaic modules. Cadmium-related environmental, public health and occupational health hazards may arise during the manufacturing, use, and disposal of spent devices. In this context, photovoltaic processing technology, statutory/regulatory limits, toxicology, and health hazards associated with two processing alternatives (electrodeposition and spray pyrolysis) nearing commercialization are reviewed. To ensure the continued viability of this material alternative, control options to permit the safe use of cadmium are discussed. 11 refs.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6703227
• Report Number(s): BNL-44773; CONF-900542--15; ON: DE90015092
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BODY
CADMIUM
CDTE SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMMISSIONING
DECOMPOSITION
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DISEASES
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
KIDNEYS
LUNGS
LYSIS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NEOPLASMS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PUBLIC HEALTH
PYROLYSIS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SAFETY
SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
SKELETAL DISEASES
SKELETON
SURFACE COATING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES