E041:07 31 October 2007

Interim report on occupational cancer published

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today published initial findings on the current burden of occupational cancer associated with carcinogens in the workplace. The results of this research were presented and discussed with a range of stakeholders including technical experts, academics, union representatives, industry experts, industry associations and government departments at a crucial stakeholder conference in June this year.

Commenting on the interim report Steve Coldrick Head of HSE’s Disease Reduction Programme said, “We have engaged with our key stakeholders and industry experts as the risk of exposure to carcinogens in the workplace cannot be reduced by the efforts of one organisation or party. What is absolutely crucial is that we focus on tackling exposure in our workplaces today to ensure safer workplaces in the future. ”

The first phase of the research focused on six cancers identified as being most likely to have a high burden due to occupational exposure: mesothelioma, lung, bladder, nose and naval cavities, non-melanoma skin and leukaemia.

Dr Lesley Rushton, one of the authors of the report from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College London said, “The initial findings from this report have been subject to extensive peer review. We also look forward to moving into the next phase of the research that will estimate the burden due to occupation for other cancers, together with development of methods for predicting future estimates of the occupational cancers due to more recent exposures”.

Notes to editors:

1. In 2002 HSE/C agreed its chemicals strategy in which programmes of work were set up to address disease reduction and management in 3 areas – cancer, respiratory disease and skin. Work to realise the strategy first began to take shape under the then Chemicals Programme in 2003/4 and since 2005 under the Disease Reduction Programme. The work on chemical carcinogens within the DRP is one facet of HSE’s overall activity on chemicals and carcinogens.
2. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations is the main legislation dealing with occupational exposure to chemicals including those that have or may have the potential to cause cancer. It promotes substitution wherever possible and takes account of the Chemicals Agents Directive and the Carcinogens Directive.
3. The emerging EU regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) has far reaching provisions and may lead over the next 3 - 10 years to the loss of some carcinogens from the workplace and improved risk management. This came into force on 1st June 2007.
4. The report is available online: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr595.htm

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