Yes. Your job -- your occupation -- could cause lung cancer.
A new study estimates that 5% of lung cancers in men are related to on-the-job exposure to chemicals and other materials (previous studies have placed the estimate at anywhere between 13 and 29%). Considering lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the U.S. and worldwide, this is not a small number.
OK, I'm not an alarmist. I like people to feel empowered. So what do we do with this study? After all, in our current economy, many people are thankful to have a job period.
So let me explain my thoughts, and why this study shouldn't make you (necessarily) draft that letter of resignation and search the job listings in today's paper.
On a recent visit to Mexico, I developed an almost morbid fascination, as I observed a workman fumigating the grounds behind our condominium complex. He did this every morning, and again every afternoon, fogging the otherwise clear air blowing in from the ocean. The smells of salt water, rosemary and mint growing on the porch, and to-die-for papaya, were replaced with the scent of pesticides you could actually taste.
As I watched this man (secretly calculating his life expectancy given the chemicals he was blissfully blowing) my observations went deeper. Yes, he was wearing a respirator while he worked. But as he finished, he removed his mask, sat down and breathed deeply while the fog slowly settled over him. And -- our lungs aren't the only orifice through which carcinogens can pass. How many of those toxic molecules were deposited on his bare arms and bare feet for him to breathe in later (and bring home to his family)?
Many occupations carry risks. Medicine not-withstanding. Just as we use "universal precautions" in medicine, safety measures that protect us from infectious diseases that can be transmitted by blood and body fluids, guidelines are in place in other occupations to protect the public from exposures to chemicals and other harmful substances.
Employers are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on any potentially harmful chemical you may be exposed to. They aren't just a waste of paper, and can give important information on how to be as safe as possible in your work environment.
Back to some of the occupations at risk. The highest risks were for individuals working with ceramics, pottery, and brick manufacturing. Mining, metal working, some types of construction, gas station attendants, leather and glass workers, welders, and truck drivers were also at risk. For women, working in a dry cleaning establishment elevated risk.
Some of these exposures are difficult to avoid, but many require only a little awareness. We don't have to become alarmists. We aren't sitting ducks. Learn what you can about possible exposures at work, so you feel empowered to make your days at work as safe as possible.
Occupation and Lung Cancer - Who's at Risk , What Can You Do, and Where Can You Learn More?
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sources:
Consonni, D. et al. Lung Cancer and Occupation in a Population-based Case-Control Study. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2010. 171(3):323-333.
