Health, safety and environmental issues relating to cadmium usage in photovoltaic energy systems
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
This paper discusses the current technology base and hazards associated with two promising thin-film photovoltaic cells that contain cadmium compounds -- cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium diselenide (CuInSe{sub 2}). More specifically, this paper summarizes the toxicological information on cadmium (Cd) compounds; evaluates potential health, safety and environmental hazards associated with cadmium usage in the photovoltaics industry; describes regulatory requirements associated with the use, handling and disposal of cadmium compounds; and lists management options to permit the safe and continued use of these materials. Handling of cadmium in photovoltaic production can present hazards to health, safety and the environment. Prior recognition of these hazards can allow device manufacturers and regulators to implement appropriate and readily available hazard management strategies. Hazards associated with product use (i.e., array fires) and disposal remain controversial and partially unresolved. The most likely effects that could be expected would be those associated with chronic low-level exposures to cadmium wastes. Because of the general immobility of the cadmium present in these devices and availability of environmental and biomonitoring protocols, chronic hazards can be monitored, and remediated if necessary. Nevertheless, concern about cadmium hazards should continue to be emphasized to ensure that health, safety and environmental issues are properly managed. At the same time, the potential role that these systems can play in ameliorating some important health and environmental hazards related to other energy systems should not be ignored. 27 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 6567627
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-44946; ON: DE91000123
- 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.
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SAFETY
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
CLEAN AIR ACT
CLEAN WATER ACT
COPPER SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDIUM SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
MANAGEMENT
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT
PUBLIC HEALTH
RESOURCE RECOVERY ACTS
THIN FILMS
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
HAZARDS
LAWS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
POLLUTION LAWS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
143000* - Solar Energy- Health & Safety- (1990-)
140501 - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
140400 - Solar Energy- Environmental Aspects