Toxic gas leak at TSMC fab hospitalises 21

Plant still running despite Arsine emission

TSMC, the world's biggest contract chip maker, did not feel the need to shut down its Fab 7 facility yesterday, despite a potentially lethal gas leak that hospitalised 21 employees.

The 200mm fab, located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, experienced the leak just after 2PM local time. As per company procedures, the 21 workers in the immediate vicinity of the leak were sent to hospital for checks.

The gas in question is Arsine, which the foundry says is highly toxic and flammable.

According to TSMC, the workers were expected to be released from hospital the same day. ®

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