Occupation as a cause of lung cancer is common. It has been estimated that 13 to 29% of lung cancers in men are secondary to on-the-job exposure to chemicals and materials that increase the risk of lung cancer. Many of these exposures are preventable through awareness, and taking appropriate precautions.
Key Points
How Do I Know if Exposures at Work Can Raise My Risk?
Employers are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) on chemicals you may be exposed to at the workplace. It is important to take the time to read these, and follow any safety recommendations that
are suggested. That said, only 2% of chemicals used in commerce have been studied for carcinogenicity, that is their ability to cause cancer in humans. Though this is concerning, taking basic precautions could likely lower your risk considerably. When around chemicals, wearing gloves, ensuring proper ventilation, and using an appropriate mask are paramount. It is important to note that not all masks are created equally. Some exposures may be prevented with a simple dust mask, whereas others may require the use of a respirator to prevent a potentially toxic exposure.
What Are Some of the Exposures at Work That Could Cause Lung Cancer?
The following lists of substances and occupations that could place you at risk is far from exhaustive, but provides an overview of some of the more common exposures that are linked with lung cancer.
Occupational Substances Associated With an Increased Risk of Lung Cancer
- Diesel fumes
- Natural fibers – asbestos, silica, wood dust
- Metals – aluminum, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, nickel
- Radon
- Reactive chemicals – bis(chloromethyl) ether, mustard gas, vinyl chloride
- Second-hand smoke
- Solvents – benzene, toluene
Occupations Associated With an Increased Risk of Lung Cancer
- Asbestos workers
- Bartenders
- Ceramics
- Chemists
- Glass manufacturing
- Painters
- Printers
- Masonry work
- Metal work (iron and steel foundry work)
- Sandblasting
- Truck driving
- Uranium mining
What Can I Do if My Employer is Not Protecting Me from Exposures?
Employers are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical you may be exposed to at work. If these have not been provided for you, or if you feel your workplace is placing you at risk,
help is available. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a 24-hour access line to report unsafe work practices at 1-800-321-6742.
Where Can I Go To Find More Information on Occupational Exposures?
Several excellent sites are available that include databases on possible workplace exposures, as well as general safety information for you as an employee.
- NIOSH – The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health provides multiple databases regarding occupational safety, and includes a handy Pocket Guide to Chemical Exposures as well. NIOSH has a toll-free number for questions about occupational exposures at 1-800-356-4674.
- U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA provides information on laws and regulations regarding workplace safety.
- The National Library of Medicine Haz-map.com Occupational Cancer. This site reviews occupations and workplace exposures that are linked with several cancers.
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
The link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer has received a lot of attention lately. Laws now prohibit smoking in many public places, and TV commercials yank at our heartstrings as they depict someone that smoked mourning the loss of a non-smoking loved one.
What are the facts?
Definition of Secondhand Smoke
First, what is secondhand smoke? Secondhand smoke (or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) refers to the exposure to smoke from cigarettes another person is smoking. It is also called passive smoking or
involuntary smoking. Secondhand smoke is made up of two components. “Sidestream smoke” is the smoke that is present in air from the end of a burning cigarette. “Mainstream smoke” is smoke that is exhaled by
someone who is smoking after it has traveled through the lungs. Research on animals suggests that sidestream smoke may be even more dangerous than mainstream smoke, but regardless of the debate, secondhand smoke is a known human carcinogen (cancer causing substance).
The Statistics
Secondhand smoke alone is responsible for roughly 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, and over 21,000 lung cancer deaths worldwide. Living with a smoker increases an individual’s chance of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30%.
According to U.S. Surgeon General’s report in 2006, even brief secondhand smoke exposure can cause the damage that can lead to lung cancer. Despite this risk, the report also found that nearly half of non-smoking individuals are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. The best ventilation systems are unable to filter out secondhand smoke completely, and only smoke-free establishments are risk free.
The Culprits
There are more than 50 chemicals in tobacco smoke that are known to cause cancer.
Some of the better known carcinogens include arsenic, benzene, nickel, and vinyl chloride.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Since no level of secondhand smoke exposure is safe, insisting on a no-smoking policy in your home is an important first step in protecting yourself. Choosing public establishments, such as restaurants, that are
smoke-free is helpful as well, although the availability may depend on the laws where you live. If you travel, avoiding secondhand smoke can be more difficult. Our About.com Guide to COPD, Deborah Leader has
compiled ideas on protecting yourself while traveling
Secondhand Smoke and People With Lung Cancer
For someone living with lung cancer, secondhand smoke exposure can carry a double-edged sword. As an irritant to the lungs, secondhand smoke can worsen symptoms that are already present, such as coughing, but can be painful from an emotional standpoint as well. Studies tell us that lung cancer survivors experience significant distress when family members continue to smoke. If you are living with lung cancer and have family members who smoke, or, if you smoke and have a family member with lung cancer..
