More known carcinogenic agents

The previous step was about asbestos. Here, the text will tell you about different other carcinogenic agents and different occupations at risk of work-related cancer.

Crystalline silica

Silica is a very common crystal-like mineral found in sand and rocks. Any occupation that disturbs the earth’s crust or involves processing or using silica-containing sand, rock or ores has a potential risk of silica exposure. Examples include miners and quarry workers, sandblasters, workers in road- and tunnel construction, granite and stone industries, and ceramics and glass industries. Crystalline silica dust causes lung cancer.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mostly of crystalline silica. It has been a popular building material since ancient times because it is relatively soft, making it easy to carve.
^{© G. Tjalvin}

Chromium (VI) compounds

Industries and processes in which exposure to chromium (VI) occurs, include production, use and welding of chromium-containing metals and alloys (e.g. stainless steel); electroplating; and production and use of chromium-containing compounds, such as pigments in paints (e.g. application and removal in construction and maritime industries). Chromium (VI) compounds cause cancer of the lungs.

Lead chromate has a vivid yellow color and for this reason is used in many sign paints and road marking coatings. Here the workers are handling bags of pigments used for making the paint. Substitutes are available.
^{© G. Tjalvin}

Wood dust

Exposure to wood dust is prevalent in wood furniture and cabinet manufacturing, in the finishing departments of plywood and particleboard mills, as well as in the workroom air of sawmills and planer mills. The use of woodworking machines increase the number of finer dust particles. Wood dust causes sino-nasal and nasopharynx cancer.

Wood dust is a complex substance. The exposure levels to the person working in the processing of wood depend on several factors including the equipment being used, the ventilation, the type of timber, and any personal protective equipment that may be used.
^{© G. Tjalvin}

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used in the production of various types of resins that have wide uses as adhesives and binders in pressed-wood products, in the production of plastics and coatings, and in textile finishing. High exposure levels have been observed in the production of resins and plastic products. Formaldehyde causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukaemia.

Formaldehyde is also used as an industrial disinfectant and as a preservative, and short-term exposures to high levels have been reported for laboratory technicians and pathologists. ^{© Colourbox}

Benzene

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that occurs naturally in petroleum products such as crude oil and gasoline. Occupational exposure to benzene occurs via inhalation (mainly) or dermal absorption in the petroleum industry (extraction, production and refining of oil and gas), and manufacturing of organic chemicals. Workers involved in the transport of crude oil and gasoline and in the dispensing of gasoline at service stations, as well as street workers, taxi drivers and others employed at workplaces with exposure to vehicle exhaust also experience exposure to benzene. Benzene causes acute myeloid leukaemia.

Benzene occurs naturally in crude oil and gasoline, and hence workers in the petroleum industry are at risk for benzene exposure. ^{© Colourbox}

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a group of different compounds resulting from the incomplete combustion of organic material. High exposure levels occur during the conversion of coal to coke and coal tar. Occupations of relevance include coal gasification, coke production, coal-tar distillation, paving and roofing that involve coal tar, the use of creosote as a wood preservative, aluminium production and working as a chimney sweep. Exposure to certain PAHs is associated with lung and skin cancer.

Pavers who are exposed to coal tar pitch have increased risk for lung cancer and skin cancer. Exposure to PAHs occurs both through the airways and the skin.
^{© G. Tjalvin}

Boot and shoe manufacture and repair

Employees in boot and shoe manufacture and repair such are exposed to different carcinogenic chemicals, as well as leather dust. Leather dust may cause sino-nasal cancer.

Leather and leather-product industries have moved gradually from the industrialized countries to the developing world. In several developing countries, large and medium-sized manufacturers and retailers are known to use subcontracting practices, informal employment, and so-called home-based shoemaking. ^{© Colourbox}

Welding

Welding involves exposure to welding fumes that are produced when metals heated above their melting point vaporize and condense to fine particles. The fumes comprise a complex mixture of particles dependent on welding process and base metal, and any coatings on the base metal (e.g, paint). Welders are also exposed to ultraviolet radiation, and other workplace hazards, such as asbestos and solvents. Welding fumes cause cancer of the lung, and ultraviolet radiation from welding causes ocular melanoma.

Painter

Painters are exposed to products comprising a complex mixture of chemicals used as pigments, extenders, binders, solvents, and additives. Many of these chemicals are known, probably or possibly carcinogenic. The product compositions are continuously changing, and they are also extremely heterogeneous across countries worldwide. Painters can even be exposed to other workplace hazards, such as asbestos or crystalline silica. Working as a painter is associated with lung cancer, bladder cancer and mesothelioma.

Spray painting is a commonly used application technique. The paint is atomized into a mist or fine spray, and to avoid inhalation of the paint particles the worker must use proper respiratory protective equipment. ^{© Colourbox}

Firefighting

Firefighters respond to various kinds of fires (e.g, buildings, wild land, and vehicle fires) as well as non-fire events like hazardous material releases and building collapses. Hence, their exposure can be very complex. During firefighting the firefighters can be exposed to combustion products such as Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and different particulates, dust from building materials for instance containing asbestos, chemicals in firefighting foams, flame retardants and diesel exhaust. Over time, exposure as a firefighter has changed substantially due to changes in the types of fires, building materials, personal protective equipment, and roles and responsibilities. Uptake to the body occurs via inhalation and dermal absorption, and possibly via ingestion, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment is important to reduce the uptake.

Firefighters rely on appropriate personal protective equipment to reduce their exposures. ^{© Colourbox}

See more examples of carcinogenic agents, the cancer types they are known to cause and occupations or industries at risk in this overview provided by IARC.