Background 
The semiconductor and microelectronics industries have potential hazard not only to the environment but also to its workers because of the intensive use of chemicals such as organic solvents in its process.  Although semiconductor and microelectronics workers are exposed to low quantities of various chemicals, their exposure may cause deleterious health effects over the long-term.  In industrialized countries, reports on the health effects of organic solvent exposure has been extensive, however, in the Philippines and most developing countries, there is still a paucity of information concerning health effects of these chemicals to our workforce.  A 1991 study of the Occupational Safety and Health Center revealed that workers handling organic solvents had elevated concentration of solvent mixtures.  A dose-dependent relationship between intensity of solvent concentration and symptoms arising from exposure was likewise documented. 

Methodology
This present study was descriptive, cross sectional, conducted to assess the health status of women workers exposed to organic solvents in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry.  399 female workers from 10 semiconductor and microelectronics companies were examined for subjective symptoms, hematology, serum biochemistry and organic solvent metabolite levels. 

Results
The study showed that the semiconductor and microelectronics industry employ mostly young female workers.  They handle organic solvents during routine work operations. To reduce operator exposure, the companies employ control measures such as local and general exhaust systems.  The survey of symptoms indicates that for most of the respondents, the prevalent symptoms were concerned with the central nervous system (prevalence of narcotic effects= 0.37, neurasthenic effects=0.29), and irritative symptoms (prevalence=0.34) to the respiratory tract and the skin.  Clinical, laboratory and biologic examinations revealed minimal abnormal findings, which were not conclusively attributed to organic solvent exposure.

Factors that have influenced the results of the survey: the semiconductor/microelectronics industry requires strict environment control that tends to reduce operator exposure and minimize exposure levels below recommended limits.  The companies tend to be selective of their workers and only employ healthy operators.  In developed countries such as the US, the semiconductor and microelectronics industry, in general, has a low overall incidence of occupational injury and illness, however, because of the industry’s emergence in the Asia Pacific region, there is evidence that organic solvent effects and toxicity among operators and maintenance workers may be increasing.

Recommendations
There should be continuous monitoring and surveillance of this industry to prevent the occurrence of possible occupational and work-related diseases.  Interventions and preventive programs should be put in place.   This study was limited to the general assessment of the health status of women workers in selected semiconductor and microelectronics industry.  Causal relationship was not established.  Follow-up studies can focus on specific illnesses and exposure relationship.