Major causes of occupational cancer 'could be eliminated'

A report from the journal 'Annals of Occupational Hygiene', written by Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) scientists, identified sixty-four agents or circumstances that could lead to occupational cancer. Exposure to these was linked to around 7 million UK workers.

Of the carcinogens identified, thirty were associated with 99.5% of the exposed population, with key exposures listed as; solar radiation; crystalline silica; radon; diesel engine exhaust; and wood dust. Others included inorganic lead compounds; chromium (VI) compounds; iron and steel founding; and asbestos.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was also highlighted in the report, although recent legislative measures will undoubtedly have dramatically reduced occupational exposure in the UK.

The IOM team claimed that if similar measures were taken to combat other occupational chemical carcinogens, they could virtually be "eliminated" by 2005.

'Further action'

"The recent bans on cigarette smoking in enclosed public places throughout Britain has ensured that ETS is eliminated as a cause of occupational cancer," said the report.

"The much tighter management of asbestos that is being introduced in Britain should also further reduce exposures of workers who encounter asbestos in buildings.

"However, there is a need for further action to reduce exposure, particularly in relation to exposure to solar radiation, radon, crystalline silica, diesel exhaust particulate and other process-generated occupational carcinogens."

The report concluded: "By 2025, we believe that it should be possible to reduce the level and prevalence of exposure to known occupational chemical carcinogens in Britain so that these exposures will contribute very much less than 1% of all cancers in the future.

"This is a challenging target that will require a consistent effort on the part of industry and the Health and Safety Executive if we are to achieve it."

HSE figures

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the proportion of cancer deaths attributable to occupation is around 8% in men and 1.5% in women - with an overall estimate of 5% for men and women.

The HSE has been criticised in the past for basing its estimates on occupational cancer around "outdated" information. However, in the last month it has published the initial findings of new research into the current burden of occupational cancer.

Links to this research and the recent Annals of Occupational Hygiene report are provided above/right.