Mesothelioma

Thousands more die from leukemia caused by exposure to benzene, an organic solvent widely used by workers, including in the chemical and diamond industries.

“The tragedy of occupational cancer resulting from asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens is that it takes so long for science to be translated into protective action,” said Maria Neira, WHO Director of Public Health and Environment.

“Known and preventable exposures are clearly responsible for hundreds of thousands of excess cancer cases each year.

In the interests of protecting our health, we must adopt an approach rooted in primary prevention – that is to make workplaces free from carcinogenic risks,” Dr.

Neira said.

Most cancer deaths caused by occupational risk factors occur in the developed world, WHO said, blaming the wide use of different carcinogenic substances such as blue asbestos, 2-naphthylamine and benzene 20 to 30 years ago.

But it warned that if the current unregulated use of carcinogens in the developing world continues, a significant increase in occupational cancer can be expected there in the coming decades.

“The control of carcinogens in the workplace should be a key component of every national cancer control ...

The best way to minimize cancers among workers, according to WHO, is to reduce carcinogens in the workplace.

Asbestos (a fibrous silicate mineral) and benzene (a toxic colorless liquid produced from petroleum) should be eliminated.

Other safer materials are available to replace them.

Tobacco should also be banned from the workplace.

Something as simple as protective clothing can help minimize skin cancer in workers working outside in the Sun.

One out of every ten deaths from lung cancer has been associated with workplaces.

For asbestos exposure alone, at least 90,000 deaths occur annually, with about 125 million people exposed while at work.

Benzene kills thousands of workers each year in industries using and producing dyes, drugs, pesticides, and rubbers.

The chemical and diamond industries have especially large percentages of employee deaths due to benzene poisoning as compared to other industries.

Dr.

Maria Neira, WHO Director of Public Health and Environment, recently said, "The tragedy of occupational cancer resulting from asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens is that it takes so long for science to be translated...