Thursday, February 5, 2015

EU OSHA Report Highlights Ways to Improve the Prevention of Work-Related Cancer

In response to World Cancer Day, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) released a report providing recommendations to help fill gaps and further broaden knowledge on work-related cancer.

The report concentrates on the assessment of carcinogens and occupational cancer by attempting to describe carcinogens and cancer-causing conditions in the workplace, evaluate sources of information and identify knowledge gaps, provide recommendations and describe prevention measures.

The report examines the chemical, biological, organizational and physical factors that contribute to occupational cancer. It also stresses the need to consider current work environments A key finding of the report is that there a general lack of knowledge on occupational cancer. The agency identifies several ways to broaden this knowledge including information exchange at the international level and considering new and emerging risks, such as nanomaterials, endocrine-disrupting compounds, static work, and shift and night work.

The agency provides an overview of possible solutions but stresses that the most effective measure is avoidance of exposure. Click here to learn more.