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Occupational Causes of Cancer

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Handbook of Disability, Work and Health

Part of the book series: Handbook Series in Occupational Health Sciences ((HDBSOHS,volume 1))

Abstract

Many recognized human carcinogens are chemicals or physical agents found in the occupational environment. The present chapter is intended to summarize current information on occupational carcinogens. Most discoveries have been based on epidemiologic research; however, animal experimentation and basic science research have also contributed to this body of knowledge. Establishing a list of occupational carcinogens is not straightforward; since many occupational agents are also found in consumer products and the general environment, it requires judgment as to what should be considered an occupational agent. It is important to synthesize this information for both scientific and public health purposes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) publishes lists of human carcinogens based on evaluations conducted by expert panels. Based largely on the evaluations published by IARC, and supplemented by our knowledge of the occupations and industries in which they are found, and their target organs, we list 50 definite occupational carcinogens and 51 probable occupational carcinogens. The evidence base for some of these is described. In various countries it has been estimated that between 4% and 14% of all cancer deaths among males are attributable to occupational exposures, and the corresponding range is from 1% to 3% of cancer deaths among females.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Jack Siemiatycki & Mengting Xu

  2. Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre, (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada

    Jack Siemiatycki & Mengting Xu

Authors
  1. Jack Siemiatycki
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  2. Mengting Xu
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Correspondence to Jack Siemiatycki .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen Department of Health Sciences, Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Ute Bültmann

  2. Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldo Medizinische Fakultät, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Johannes Siegrist

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Siemiatycki, J., Xu, M. (2019). Occupational Causes of Cancer. In: Bültmann, U., Siegrist, J. (eds) Handbook of Disability, Work and Health. Handbook Series in Occupational Health Sciences, vol 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75381-2_6-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75381-2_6-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-75381-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-75381-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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