OCCUPATIONAL CANCER

Occupational cancer is a serious problem in the industry. The sites of the body most commonly affected are skin, lungs, bladder, and blood-forming organs.

skin Cancer

Percival Pott was first to draw attention to cancer of scrotum in chimney Sweeps in 1775. It was subsequently found that cancer of the scrotum and of the skin in other parts of the body was caused by coal tar, x-ray, certain oils and dyes. Statistics show that nearly 75 percent of occupational cancers are skin cancer. Skin cancers are an occupational hazard among gas workers, coke oven workers, tar distillers, oil refiners, dye-stuff makers, road makers and industries associated with the use of mineral oil, pitch, tar and related compounds.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a hazard in gas industry, asbestos industry, nickel and chromium work, arsenic roasting plants and in the mining of radioactive substances (e.g. Uranium). Nickel, chromates, asbestos, coal tar (presumably 3.4 Benzpyrene), carcinogens for the lung. Arsenic, beryllium and isopropyl oil are suspected carcinogens. More than nine-lengths of lung cancer are attributed to tobacco smoking, air pollution and occupational exposure.

Cancer Bladder

Cancer bladder was first noted in man in aniline industry in 1895. In more recent years, it was noted in the rubber industry. if is now known that cancer of the bladder is caused by aromatic amines, which are metabolized in the body and excreted in the urine. The industries associated with cancer of the bladder are the dye-stuffs and dyeing industry, rubber, gas and the electric cable industries. The following have been mentioned as possible bladder carcinogens:
Beta-naphthylamines, benzidine, Para amino-diphenyl, auramine and magenta.

Leukaemia

Exposure to benzol, roentgen rays and radioactive substances give rise to leukaemia. Benzol is a dangerous chemical and is used as a solvent in many industries. Leukaemia may appear long after exposure has ceased.
The characteristics of occupational cancer are:

1. They appear after prolonged exposure
2. The period between exposure and development of the disease may be as long as 10 to 25 years
3. The disease may develop even after the cessation of exposure
4. The average age incidence is earlier than that for cancer in general
5. The localization of the tumours is remarkably constant in any one occupation. Personal hygiene is very important in the prevention of occupational cancer.

Control of Industrial Cancer

The control measures comprises the following:

1. Elimination or control of industrial carcinogens. Technical measures like the exclusion of the carcinogen from the industry, well –designed building or machinery, closed system of production, etc.
2. Medical examinations
3. Inspection of factories
4. Notifications
5. Licensing of establishments
6. Personal hygiene measures
7. Education of workers and management
8. Research

Conclusion

There are several occupational hazard such as cancer and radiation that may deteriorates human health and well-being. Therefore we have to take all necessary precaution wherever we are working especially the manufacturer industries as listed above.
occupational cancer
Occupational cancer
Occupational cancer
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