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Construction workers at greatest cancer risk
Nearly 4,000 construction workers a year are dying from
occupation-related cancer, new research shows.
Asbestos is mostly to blame, but diesel exhaust and other
carcinogens such as silica are also significant factors. Skin
cancer is also an issue.
The study, funded by the Health & Safety Executive and
published in the British Journal of Cancer, found that 8,000
cancer deaths in Britain each year are linked to
occupations.
Around 70% of the occupation-related deaths in construction
workers were linked to asbestos.
Lead author Dr Lesley Rushton, an occupational epidemiologist
based at Imperial College London, said: "This study gives us a
clear insight into how the jobs people do affect their risk of
cancer. We hope these findings will help develop ways of reducing
health risks caused by exposure to carcinogens in the
workplace.
"One of the best ways we can beat the disease is by preventing
it in the first place.
Sara Hiom, director of information at Cancer Research UK, said:
"It's very worrying to see so many people developing and dying from
occupation-related cancers. A large proportion of the deaths are a
result of exposure to asbestos in past decades and improved safety
measures should mean that in the next generation or so we will see
this number tail off dramatically.
"At this point, we expect the government and employers to take
fast and appropriate action to minimise the risks faced by workers
and Cancer Research UK will be watching this closely.
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