Evaluation of Health Hazards in Secondary Battery Industry Workers Focusing on Chemical Burns

The rapid growth of the secondary battery industry for electric vehicles has introduced underexplored occupational hazards. This study investigated the characteristics and causes of skin disorders among workers in lithium production and battery recycling facilities to identify preventive measures. In 2024, walkthrough surveys and health interviews were conducted with 127 male workers at two newly established plants selected based on visible symptoms or involvement in high-risk processes. Skin lesions were reported by 38.8% of workers in the lithium production plant, mainly chemical burns caused by lithium hydroxide dust reacting with sweat to form a strong alkali, with the wrist being the most frequently affected site. In the recycling plant, 35.0% experienced skin lesions, predominantly contact dermatitis associated with exposure to metal dusts and acids. These findings indicate substantial risks of chemical burns and contact dermatitis, highlighting the need for improved protective equipment, ventilation, and safety management in this expanding industry.