Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Disease Reduction Programme
Ill-health caused by substances, including chemicals and dusts, such as cancer from exposure to asbestos, does not occur immediately after the exposure. There can be a considerable time (usually more than 10 years) between exposure to a chemical and the onset of any ill-health symptoms.
In many instances, employers and employees are not aware that the materials that they work with are in fact causing them harm.
The DRP Cancer Project is divided into two parts: cancer caused by exposure to asbestos and cancer caused by exposure to other chemical carcinogens.
This is the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK. More detailed information can be found via the following links:
The aim of this part of the Cancer Project is to profile chemical carcinogens (cancer causing substances) to better understand the extent of the risk associated with them. In future this information will be used to develop a method of reducing exposure where the greatest risk is present.
As part of this project a key stakeholder workshop was held on 25th-26th June 2007, involving technical experts, academics, union representatives, industry experts, industry associations and government departments. The workshop sought agreement on criteria for setting priorities for future activities and possible interventions to tackle the risk of exposure to chemical carcinogens. The report of the workshop is available below.
