Occupational exposure to cancer risk factors

Comparing exposure data across sources

The project maps and analyses EU and national databases on exposure to cancer risk factors.

A core element is the follow-up to the WES, which focuses on 24 cancer risk factors. This study compares WES data with existing national data from Germany, France, Finland and Spain. The objective is to assess the coverage, accessibility, and quality of information, and to examine the differences and similarities between WES data and other data sources.

Another element is a comparative and statistical analysis of available data on exposure to cancer risk factors, extending the scope to other risk factors and countries not covered by the WES survey.

Understanding EU Member States practices for the recognition of occupational cancer

Another key component is to understand the different practices in EU Member States and EFTA countries for the recognition of occupational cancer. This work gathers the types of cancers registered on national lists, sets out complementary and other systems of recognition of occupational diseases, describes the different conditions and information required to demonstrate a worker has been exposed to a carcinogen agent, and analyses the actors involved in occupational cancer recognition. It also identifies gaps, needs and good practices that can help to link the exposure with the cancer across the EU.

Some insights are already available from Eurostat’s European occupational diseases statistics, including occupational cancers.

Combined exposure to carcinogenic substances

The project addresses combined exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances. In cooperation with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), this strand aims to collect information on exposure concentrations, identify sectors and occupations with a higher prevalence of combined exposures, and develop guidance for workplaces.

Chemical substitution and the ‘as low as technically possible’ principle

A further research element aims at creating awareness and facilitating substitution and technical methods for lowering exposures to ‘as low as technically possible’ and complying with new EU-agreed occupational exposure limits (OELs). The work explores barriers and challenges to substitution and identifies sectoral initiatives and good practices.