Workers' Exposure to Multiple Carcinogens in 2010

Introduction: Occupational factors that may increase cancer risk are generally studied in isolation from one another, even though exposure to carcinogens is often multifaceted. The objective of this study was to provide indicators of employee exposure to a range of carcinogens, both chemical and non-chemical, and to identify groups of employees at particularly high risk for the purposes of prevention. Method: A new analysis of data from the 2009–2010 Sumer survey on employee exposure in France (sample of 48,000 employees) was conducted. The production of indicators for the percentage of employees exposed or multi-exposed to carcinogens is based on a selection of 24 chemical agents (the most common), ionizing radiation, and night work among women (≥45 nights/year). Results: In France, in 2009–2010, approximately 12.0% of employees—about 2.6 million— 2 million men (17%) and 600,000 women (5.9%) were exposed to at least one carcinogenic hazard (chemical or non-chemical) in the workplace, and approximately 757,000 employees were exposed to at least two carcinogens (5.7% of men and 0.9% of women). Among men, the most common hazards were diesel engine emissions, crude mineral oils, wood dust, and crystalline silica; among women, the most common were night work, exposure to ionizing radiation, followed by formaldehyde and cytostatic drugs. The affected employees were mainly male workers in construction and public works, maintenance, metalworking, transportation, and auto repair, as well as women in healthcare professions (nurses, midwives, and nursing assistants), hairdressers, estheticians, and personnel in process industries. Discussion and conclusion: This study demonstrates fairly frequent exposure and multiple exposure of workers to carcinogenic hazards in France, particularly among men, and identifies certain sectors and occupational groups as priorities for targeted prevention of carcinogenic risks.

Author(s): Frery N, Moisan F, Schwaab Y, Garnier R

Publishing year: 2017

Pages: 242-9

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2017, n° 13, p. 242-9

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