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Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Information Service Health Topics A-Z Health Topics by Category
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Cancer Prevention: What You Need To Know
Occupational Cancer
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed by Cancer
Center Staff
Creation Date: 1996
Last Revision Date: February 2007
What Is Known About This Topic?
The area where a person works can expose them to chemicals that can cause cancer (carcinogen). It becomes a problem also because there is long and intense exposure to the chemicals in the work place.
- There will be 40,000 new cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths in the US from occupational exposure to carcinogens
- By the year 2030, the asbestos epidemic will have claimed 300,000 lives in the US alone
- 50 percent of asbestos workers have died of asbestos related disease.
- Of chemical dye workers exposed to aromatic amines, 80 percent have died of bladder cancer
- Two million U.S. workers are exposed to substances that are known to cause cancer in animals
- Less than 2 percent of these chemicals have been tested for cancer causing ability
- Workers known to have increased cancer risk are:
- Painters
- Furniture makers
- Iron, steel, coal and rubber workers
- Workers in shoe manufacturing and repair
A worker's exposure to carcinogens may take several decades to show up as cancer. The risks may be increased by family history, diet and behaviors such as smoking.
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TABLE 1: COMMON OCCUPATIONAL CARCINOGENS |
| Agent |
Organ(s) Affected |
Occupation |
| Asbestos |
Lung, pleura |
Insulation workers |
| Benzene |
Bone Marrow |
Chemists, shoemakers |
| Cadmium |
Prostate |
Welders |
| Chlorphenoxy herbicides |
Lymph glands |
Farmers |
| Chromium and Nickel |
Nasal cavity, lung |
Smelters, electroplaters |
| Coal tar |
Lung, skin, bladder |
Coke oven workers |
| Ethylene Oxide |
Bone marrow |
Hospital sterilization |
| Naphthylamine dyes |
Urinary bladder |
Dye manufacturers |
| Radon |
Lung |
Miners |
| Vinyl chloride |
Liver |
Plastics workers |
| Wood dust |
Nasal cavity |
Furniture workers |
What Can I Do to Prevent the Problem?
Ways to prevent occupational cancers:
- Test all new chemicals and industrial processes for cancer causing ability
- Switch hazardous chemicals to non cancer causing chemicals
- Chemicals known to cause cancer should be isolated by physical enclosure and exhaust ventilation
- Workers must be provided with education and means to protect themselves
- Personal protective equipment such as respirators and impermeable clothing should be provided
- Don't smoke. The combination of smoking and exposure to cancer causing agents in the work place increases the risk of cancer
- When working with hazardous agents at home (i.e. asbestos floor tiles), use protective clothing, ventilation and any way to avoid contact with the skin and breathing vapors and/or dusts
Where Can I Get More Information?
University of Iowa Resources
Other Resources
If you would like more information about occupational cancers or telephone numbers to the above organizations, please contact the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-237-1225 or e-mail: cancer-information@uiowa.edu.
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