Occupational Cancer: Understanding and Preventing the Risks

Occupational carcinogens are cancer-causing agents found in workplaces that can pose a significant health risk to workers and impact the country's public health. In this article, we explore the sources and health effects of these carcinogens, including the types of cancer caused by occupational exposure and the strategies for prevention and control. 

We also delve into the fundamental properties of carcinogenesis and discuss the importance of reducing hazards to these harmful substances.

Introduction to Occupational Carcinogens

Unlike human carcinogens from personal habits such as tobacco smoking, occupational carcinogens are substances or agents in the workplace that can cause cancer. These cancer-causing agents can be present in the work environment in various forms, including chemicals, dust, radiation, and specific industrial processes. Such exposures may increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly if exposure is prolonged or occurs at high levels. Some examples of occupational exposures associated with cancer include asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, and crystalline silica.

Carcinogenesis: Fundamental Properties

Carcinogenesis is the process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells. This transformation occurs when the DNA of a cell is damaged, leading to mutations that cause uncontrolled cell growth. Occupational carcinogens can cause these mutations in various ways, such as binding to DNA directly or indirectly, generating reactive oxygen species that damage DNA, or disrupting cellular processes that maintain genomic stability.

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Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens

Workers face exposure to occupational carcinogenic agents through inhalation, absorption through the skin, or ingestion. In some cases, workers can bring these harmful substances home, posing severe health hazards and a risk to family members through "take home" exposure.

What are examples of occupational exposures associated with occupational cancers?

Here are some examples of occupations and the associated cancer-causing agents that workers may be exposed to:

• Agriculture workers: diesel engine exhaust, pesticides, and UV radiation
• Building maintenance workers: asbestos and silica
• Construction workers: asbestos, ionizing radiation, silica, and wood dust
• Electricians: asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Furniture and cabinet makers: formaldehyde and wood dust
• Healthcare workers: formaldehyde, hepatitis C, and ionizing radiation
• Mechanics: asbestos and diesel engine exhaust
• Metalworkers: asbestos
• Nuclear plant workers: ionizing radiation
• Oil and gas workers: diesel engine exhaust and silica
• Painters: lead and solvents
• Pest control workers: arsenic and pesticides
• Plumbers: asbestos
• Pulp and paper mill workers: asbestos and formaldehyde
• Road construction workers: diesel engine exhaust, silica, and UV radiation
• Roofers: asbestos, silica, and solar radiation

Are there lists of substances or agents that can cause occupational cancer?

Several health administration organizations and agencies maintain lists of substances or agents known or suspected to cause occupational cancer. Some of these include:

• The World Health Organization, through the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), classifies substances into different categories based on the strength of evidence linking them to cancer. The most hazardous substances are classified as Group 1 human carcinogens.
• The National Toxicology Program (NTP) publishes the Report on Carcinogens, which identifies substances known or reasonably anticipated to cause human cancer.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) maintains a list of substances NIOSH considers potential occupational cancer-related agents.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace exposures to cancer-causing agents through its substance-specific standards, which set permissible exposure limits for specific chemicals.
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) lists cancer sites associated with occupational exposures reported in the literature between certain types of cancer and specific carcinogens.

Is it possible to work safely with a carcinogen?

Yes, working safely with a carcinogen is possible if proper occupational safety precautions are taken to minimize hazards. Employers are responsible for implementing adequate controls to protect workers from occupational cancers, while workers must also follow safety guidelines and use personal protective equipment as needed.

Why is reducing carcinogen exposure important?

Reducing carcinogenic risks is crucial for preventing work-related cancer, which is possible through a combination of the following strategies:

1. Substitution: Replace hazardous materials or processes with safer alternatives whenever possible.
2. Engineering controls: Implement physical modifications to the workplace to control hazards or reduce susceptibilities, such as local exhaust ventilation or process isolation.
3. Administrative rules: Establish work practices and policies that minimize carcinogen risks, including worker training, written safe work procedures, and personal hygiene programs.
4. Personal protective equipment: Use appropriate protective gear, such as respirators and protective clothing, in conjunction with other controls to reduce exposure.

Is exposure to a specific carcinogen associated with a certain type of cancer?

In many cases, susceptibility to a specific carcinogen is associated with an increased risk of a particular type of cancer. For example, asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer and mesothelioma, while benzene hazards are associated with leukemia. However, it is essential to note that not all occupational groups exposed to a carcinogen will develop cancer, as other risk factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and other environmental exposures, can also influence risk.

What are the most common types of occupational cancers?

The estimated prevalence of carcinogens in the workplace is challenging to measure across industries—estimates of the number and proportion of workers exposed in most countries and globally are generally scarce. Research on cancer in developing countries due to work hazards is minimal. Yet, according to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), lung, bladder, laryngeal, primary liver, and leukemia are among the five most common work-related cancers globally.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types. For the last century, men have been more prone to occupational skin cancers caused by industrial exposure to chemical carcinogens, such as polycyclic hydrocarbons (in coal tars) or arsenic. Still, more recently, most work exposures have been due to UV radiation (UVR).

According to recent findings by the National Institute of Health, occupational factors such as environmental exposures have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women workers, in addition to traditional risk factors including reproductive status, genetic mutations, family history, and lifestyle.

Can you get cancer from exposure to secondhand smoke at work?

You could be exposed to lung cancer risk if you are around people who smoke during work breaks. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), secondhand smoke exposure can cause lung cancer in adults who do not smoke.

Does underground mining work lead to cancer risk?

Heavily exposed industries such as underground mining can lead to higher risk. Occupational safety in this type of mining is critical to preventing lung cancer caused by diesel exhaust. Underground miners showed a significantly increased risk of dying from lung cancer, but it may also cause cancers at sites other than the lungs.

"Occupational cancer kills more than 200,000
people a year." (National Institute of Health)

Regulation of Workplace Exposures to Carcinogenic Agents

Worker exposure to carcinogenic agents is regulated by agencies such as OSHA, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies establish safety standards and permissible hazard limits to protect workers from harmful carcinogenic substances.

The International Labour Organization has also adopted the Occupational Cancer Convention (C139) to improve workplace safety conditions globally.

Conclusion: Reducing Exposure to Carcinogens in the Workplace Impacts The Risk of Occupational Cancer

Reducing hazards to occupational carcinogens is essential for preventing work-related cancer and ensuring a safe working environment. Employers and workers must collaborate to implement effective control measures, such as substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, occupational health standards, safety training, and personal protective equipment.

By understanding the risk factors associated with occupational causes that can lead to developing cancer, workers can reduce exposure to agents causing cancer. Taking necessary precautions can protect the health of workers and their families.

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