Occupational Cancer Causing Hazards
This article presents information on the types of carcinogens that one may be exposed to through their occupation. The ‘National Agency for Research on Cancer’ (IARC) has classified more than sixty disease causing carcinogens and there are at least 10,000 cases of cancer in males each year.
The cancer which is most strongly linked to occupational disease is: mesothelioma; accounting for 80-90% of occupational cancer in men exposed to asbestos.
The second most strongly related occupational disease is: cancer of the nasal cavity and sinuses which accounts for approximately 34% of occupational disease.
And thirdly – lung cancer accounts for approximately 17% of deaths in males and up to 5% in females exposed to occupational carcinogenic. The most predominant substances that cause occupation-related lung cancer are: metals, arsenic, radon, asbestos, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
The following list represents the types of occupational carcinogens, type of occupation, and related risk of cancer.
Aromatic Amines
Manufactured in dyes and pigments such as:
- Plastics
- Textiles
- Paints
- Paper
- Drugs & Pesticides
- Antioxidants – (rubber tyres and cable preparation)
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Bladder Cancer.
Arsenic
- Mining - (copper, Smelting)
- Vineyard workers – ‘Pesticide Production’ – (arsenical pesticides)
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Lung Cancer
Asbestos
- Shipbuilding – (construction) ‘
- Milling, and Mining
- By-Product Manufacturing – Sheet Metal Workers, Insulating, and Cement Industry
- Plumbing
- Carpentry
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Mesothelioma , Asbestosis.
Benzene
- Solvents – (used in the production of shoes)
- Chemical Pharmaceutical
- Rubber Industry
- Printing Industry
- Gasoline Additive.
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Leukaemia.
Diesel
- Transportation Industry (workers/drivers)
- Bus Drivers
- Road Maintenance workers
- Mechanics
- Dock Workers.
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Lung Cancer.
Formaldehyde
- Production
- Pathologists
- Medical Pathology Technicians
- Plastics
- Textiles
- Plywood Industry
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Nasopharynx (cancer of the nasal part of the pharynx)
Leather Dust
Boot and Shoe Manufacture Workers and Repairers
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Cancer of the Lung, Sinuses, and Nasal Cavity.
Certain Metal compounds
Metals such as: Cadmium, Chromium IV, Nickel Sulphides, Oxides, Beryllium.
- Iron and Steel foundry
- Metal Founding and Welding
- Manufacturing of Cadmium Oxide
- Cadmium Alloys and Pigments
- Nickel -Cadmium Production
- Chromate Production
- Iron and Metal ware Workers
- Mechanics
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Skin Cancer
Mineral Oils
- Metal Workers
- Printing Industry
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Lung Cancer.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Industries with Exposure to Soot and Coal Tar such as:
- Paving and Roofing
- Smelting and Metal Founders
- Engine and Motor Exhausts
- Chimney Sweeps
- Coal Gasification
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Lung, Bladder, and Skin Cancer.
Radon
Workers in Underground Haematite Mines
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Lung Cancer.
Silica
- Mining
- Stone Quarrying
- Granite Production
- Ceramic and Pottery Industries
- Steel Production
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Lung Cancer.
UV Radiation
Outdoor occupations
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Skin Cancer.
Wood Dust
- Furniture and Cabinet Making
- Logging and Sawmill Workers
- Pulp and Paperboard Industry
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Cancer of Sinuses and Naval Cavities.
Vinyl Chloride
- Production of Polyvinyl and Vinyl Chloride
- Plastics, Rubber, and Resins
- Car Interior Workers
- Furniture Makers
- Transportation Workers
Related Carcinogenic Risk – Liver Cancer.
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