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May 2nd, 2007
The World Health Organization is urging industries and governments to tighten the reigns on health and safety in the workplace in order to try and reduce the risk of employees contracting asbestos related cancer at work. According to figures released by WHO, around two hundred thousand people each year die from cancer contracted through the work environment.
Among the most popular form of workplace related cancer is mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. According to figures at least ninety thousand people a year die from this form of cancer, with over one hundred million people each year being exposed to asbestos in some way whilst at work.
Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Director of Public Health and Environment, stated: "The tragedy of occupational cancer resulting from asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens is that it takes so long for science to be translated into protective action. Known and preventable exposures are clearly responsible for hundreds of thousands of excess cancer cases each year. In the interests of protecting our health, we must adopt an approach rooted in primary prevention, that is to make workplaces free from carcinogenic risks."
Dr. Andreas Ullrich, WHO Medical Officer for cancer control, added: "The control of carcinogens in the workplace should be a key component of every national cancer control programme. To achieve this, WHO supports countries in developing comprehensive national cancer prevention and control plans, which are essential to prevent millions of cancer deaths each year."
