A number of occupations and specific chemical substances found in workplaces have been shown to increase the risk of certain cancers. Some of the most important cancer-causing substances in the workplace are described further:
- Aromatic amines
- Asbestos
- Chromium (VI) compounds
- Diesel engine exhaust
- Mineral oils, untreated or mildly treated
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Silica dust
Table 1 presents occupations in which higher cancer occurrences have been identified. In some of these occupations, the specific chemical substances causing cancer are known, whereas in others the specific substances have not been clearly identified.
Table 1: Cancer-causing occupations
| Occupation or industry | Tumour sites (or types) for which there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans |
|---|---|
| Aluminium production | Lung, urinary bladder |
| Auramine manufacture | Urinary bladder |
| Coal gasification | Lung |
| Coal-tar distillation | Skin |
| Coke production | Lung |
| Haematite mining (underground) | Lung |
| Iron and steel founding | Lung |
| Isopropyl alcohol production |
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus |
| Magenta production | Urinary bladder |
| Painting | Lung, mesothelioma, urinary bladder |
| Rubber production | Leukaemia, lymphoma, lung, stomach, urinary bladder |
Source: Reproduced from Cogliano VJ, Baan R, Straif K et al. (2011). Preventable exposures associated with human cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst, 103:1827–1829, by permission of Oxford University Press.
At workplaces, exposures are typically complex, with exposures to chemical substances alone, as mixtures, or in combination with other work-related exposures or other cancer-causing substances, such as smoking or alcohol drinking. Thus, many workers may potentially be exposed to several substances, and these may affect multiple cancer sites. Cancer-causing substances in the workplace cause predominantly lung cancer, and frequently also mesothelioma (cancer of the cells of the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers the chest, the abdomen, and the space around your heart) and cancers of the skin, urinary bladder, and oesophagus (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Cancer sites related to chemical substances found in the workplace.
Source: © iStockphoto.com.
Outdoor workers, including construction workers and agricultural workers, lifeguards, or gardeners may expose their skin to increased risk of UV damage. Other work-related exposures include second-hand smoke and radon.