Jobs with high cancer risk are fewer today. Increased safety regulations over the past few decades have caused the rate of workplace-related cancers to decrease significantly, per the American Cancer Society. A small percentage of cancer patients in the US can trace the origin of the disease to occupational exposure to cancer-causing substances, or carcinogens. However, those carcinogens can sometimes take decades to surface. People who worked in various industries 40 years ago might just now be reaping the consequences of those exposures.
Some jobs put you at a higher health risk, like fighting fires, chasing bad guys, or construction work. Then there are jobs that put you at equal risk (possibly even higher), with more hidden but still eerie side effects.
Although contact with toxins is being regulated more carefully by organizations such as the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there is still cancer risk at work due to accidents, lax adherence to the rules or stress. Every job comes with its own unique set of health risks. The following occupations could lead to certain cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia, bladder cancer, lung cancer and other types.
Jobs with high cancer risk:
Cancer Risk in Rubber Manufacturers
Some examples of these careers: people making automobile tires, rubber gloves, rubber bands, and other rubber products that we use every day.
“Rubber is made with myriad chemicals, and the process exposes workers to vapors, dusts, and chemical byproducts that evidently pose serious health risks.”
Studies show “excess deaths” from bladder cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma, “making jobs in the rubber industry some of the most exposed to carcinogens.” The CDC reports these toxins are not just inhaled but can be absorbed through the skin as well.
Per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), “Historically, cancer has been the chronic disease most frequently reported in cohort studies of rubber products workers.” (CDC.org)
Cancer Risk in Agricultural Workers
One study found an elevated risk of multiple myeloma and melanoma (skin cancer) in women, and prostate cancer in men, when working in agriculture. (ScienceDirect.com)
An Australian study showed that agriculture was one of the top five occupations for cancer risks. Frequent exposure to engine exhaust, pesticides, fertilizers, and other elements were thought to play a key role in the high incidents of lymphoma, leukemia, and several other cancers.” (Time)
Cancer Risk in Nail Salon Workers
There are numerous potentially hazardous chemicals being used in nail salons. Chronic exposure to two of the volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), Formaldehyde and Benzene have been known to cause cancer. (OSHA.gov)
To cut down on exposure, “OSHA recommends that salons be well ventilated and have sufficient airflow. OSHA also suggests that nail-salon workers wear long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and masks to protect themselves from the chemicals in polishes and astringents.” (BusinessInsider.com)
Cancer Risk in Construction Workers
Asbestos can cause cancer in construction workers. Some older buildings still contain asbestos. Remodeling jobs may pose problems, until it is confirmed asbestos isn’t inside a structure where crews are working.
Unfortunately, the harmful effects of exposure of asbestos may not show up for years. Asbestos exposure can cause a number of deadly conditions including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and gastrointestinal cancer.
Cancer Risk in Mechanics
Because of the heat-resistant qualities, asbestos is sometimes still used for brake linings and clutch configurations. When those parts start “to disintegrate, or are replaced, the asbestos fibers can be released into the air – and mechanics’ lungs.” Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that can affect the abdomen, heart, or lining of the lungs, can be caused by asbestos. “That’s why, among other regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires mechanics to use special procedures for brake and clutch repairs. This is especially true for shops that work with more than five such repairs per week.”
Besides the danger of asbestos, mechanics also come into contact with gasoline, which contains benzene. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene causes cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause leukemia. (Emergency.CDC.gov)
Cancer Risk in Firefighters
Firefighters are in danger every day, saving the lives of others. But there are also hidden deadly risks that come with the job. These are due to smoke inhalation and skin absorption of chemicals in the smoke. “In addition to the danger of putting out fires, firefighters are at an increased risk for different types of cancer due to the smoke and hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in the line of duty. There have been multiple studies that show this increased risk for cancer.” (LLS.org)
A NIOSH study found that firefighters “face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the general US population.” (Blogs.CDC.gov)
These inhalants and chemicals are the reason firefighters must adhere to strict protocol:
- prevent breathing in smoke as much as possible
- wear appropriate gear
- go through decontamination after leaving a site
Is your job affecting your health?
To find out if your job is affecting your health, request a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE): https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/request.html
NIOSH HHE program mission: Helping employees, unions, and employers recognize and control health hazards in their workplace
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