About occupational cancer

Cancer can be caused by substances, or mixtures of substances, called 'carcinogens’. Occupational cancer can be caused through prolonged exposure to carcinogens in the workplace.

What does this website provide?

Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk and can lead to a number of occupational diseases including cancer. This website provides:

• Advice on what employers need to do to protect the health of their employees
• Links to the regulatory framework for chemicals and harmful substances
• Links to information for employers about their legal responsibilities
• Information for employees who work with carcinogens
• Links to practical information about cancer hazards in the workplace and how exposure can be controlled

Cancer and carcinogens

Carcinogens

• Occupational cancer may occur as a result of work involving direct exposure to a carcinogen or exposure to a carcinogen produced as part of a work process
• There is usually a considerable amount of time (usually more than 10 years) between exposure to a carcinogen and the onset of any ill-health symptoms
• Carcinogens occur in many forms, they can be solids, liquids, vapours, gases, or dusts and can be breathed in, absorbed through the skin or swallowed

Visit the CancerHelp UK website for more information on cancer and its causes.