1. Chemicals and Carcinogens in the Workplace
Welcome to this presentation on cancer and carcinogens in the workplace authored by Chemscape.
Chemicals and Carcinogens in the Workplace

2. Objectives of this presentation
Gain better awareness and understanding of occupational cancer.
Identify potential causes and risk factors for cancer.
Retain safety messages to help reduce exposure to carcinogens in the workplace.
This presentation is intended to be a tool for employers and workers to gain a better awareness and understanding of occupational cancer and its potential causes. It will present safety messages for workers with the goal of reducing exposure to carcinogens. Depending on your workplace and industry you may require additional information on carcinogen exposure and prevention.

3. A Sobering Reality of Life
Cancer affect's all of us in some way. 1 in 3 of us will develop cancer in our lifetime.
What is cancer?
A disease of cells and highly invasive to the body.
It can begin almost anywhere.
Unfortunately cancer is a sobering reality we hear about too often in life. And tragically it will impact all of us in some way in our lifetime.
But what is cancer? 
Cancer is a disease of the cells and is highly invasive to the human body. Cancer can begin at almost any site in the body and reacts differently depending on its point of origin.

4. Normal cell vs cancer cell growth
Cancer Cells
Continue to grow, divide out of control, and do not die.
Cells form into lumps and tumours that damage other surrounding healthy cells.
Cancer becomes fatal when tissue destruction makes it impossible for major organs to function.
Normal Healthy Cells
Cell function is controlled by its DNA
Healthy cells grow, divide and die.
Cancer interrupts this process.
Our bodily tissues and organs are composed of millions of cells. The genes or DNA inside a cell regulates the cell function. Healthy cells grow and divide. They know when to stop growing and eventually die. But Cancer can adversely affect this complex system.
Cancer cells continue to grow and divide out of control, and do not die. Instead they form together into lumps and tumours that damage other surrounding healthy cells. The tumour can invade nearby tissue and spread to all other areas of the body. Cancer becomes fatal when tissue destruction makes it impossible for major organs to function.

5. Risk Factors for Cancer
Smoking
Diet low in vegetables and fruit
Sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight
Sun Exposure
Occupational and environmental exposure to carcinogens.
Personal characteristics such as age, gender, and race.
A family history of cancer.
The presence of certain medical conditions, such as chronic infection with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
Let’s review risk factors for cancer. I am sure you are aware of many on this list.
A risk factor increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. In general they include:
• Smoking
• A diet low in vegetables and fruit
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Being overweight
• Sun Exposure
• Occupational and environmental exposure to carcinogens.
• Personal characteristics such as age, gender, and race.
• A family history of cancer.
• The presence of certain medical conditions, such as Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.

6. The Cancer Lottery
A lottery is defined as “an event whose outcome is determined by chance.” Tickets are given to us from birth: genetics, family cancer history, medical history
Tickets we pick up in life: occupational and environmental exposure, diet and lifestyle.
Why do some people develop cancer and some don’t?
An occupational cancer doctor in Alberta, Dr. Ken Corbet, uses the analogy of a lottery to explain cancer.
A lottery is an event whose outcome is determined by chance. Cancer is like a lottery with the number of tickets we hold determined by our inheritance, medical history, occupational and environmental exposures, diet, and lifestyle.
Like a real lottery, the more tickets we have, the greater the chance there is to develop cancer – but just because we have tickets, and collect a few more each day, it does not mean that we will develop cancer.
Conversely, we may have very few tickets in the cancer lottery, but one of them is the ticket that will cause a cancer.
This is one way to explain why young adults with minimal risks for cancer can still develop cancer, and why some older people with exposure to multiple risk factors for cancer do not develop the disease.
The more tickets the greater
chance there is to develop cancer but
no one knows which ticket is the cancer
ticket in life.

7. What is a Carcinogen? Carcinogen is an agent that causes cancer.
Carcinogens can be
Chemical (i.e. benzene)
Physical (i.e. ionizing radiation)
Biological (i.e. Hepatitis C)
Now we have a basic definition of what cancer is and how it occurs. So what is a carcinogen? Carcinogens are agents that can cause cancer.
Carcinogens can be chemical, physical or biological in nature.

8. Identifying a Carcinogen
Identifying carcinogens is very complex and difficult.
Recognized lists of carcinogens are published by:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
National Toxicology Program (NTP)
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Identifying carcinogens is very complex and difficult. There are organizations that evaluate chemicals for carcinogenicity based on specific criteria.
Recognized lists of carcinogens are published by:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
National Toxicology Program (NTP)
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)

9. What is occupational cancer?
Occupational cancer is cancer that occurs when a person is exposed to carcinogens or potentially harmful chemical, physical or biological substances at work.
Higher levels of & repeated exposure = Increased risk of developing cancer
Let’s take a look at cancer and carcinogen exposure at work. Occupational cancer is cancer that occurs when a person is exposed to carcinogens or potentially harmful chemical, physical or biological substances at work.
People who work with cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) on the job may be exposed to much higher levels of these substances than they would be at home or in their community. Since higher exposure can lead to greater cancer risk, eliminating or reducing exposure is important in the primary prevention of cancer.

10. How frequent is occupational cancer?
Based on current scientific data it is estimated that occupational exposures account for approximately 8% of cancer cases in the population.
However, among those exposed to occupational carcinogens, the proportion of cancer attributable to these exposures is likely greater. It is important to note that this model is an estimate, and is based on studies of general patterns of cancer in the population. For an individual, a number of different factors are thought to interact to contribute to cancer, rather than a single factor. These interactions are still not fully understood.

11. Types of Occupational Cancer
Type of Cancer
Related to Occupational Exposure - U.S. Estimated %
Lung Cancer
6.3 – 13%
Bladder Cancer
3 – 19%
Mesothelioma
85 – 90% (men); 23 – 90% (women)
Leukemia
0.8 – 2.8%
Laryngeal Cancer
1 – 20%
Skin Cancer
(non-melanoma)
1.5 – 6%
Sinonasal and nasopharyngeal cancer
31 – 43%
Kidney Cancer
0 – 2.3%
Liver Cancer
0.4 – 1.1% (vinyl chloride only; men)
Data From: Steenland, K., et al. Dying for work: the magnitude of US mortality from selected causes of death associated with occupation. American Journal of Occupational Medicine. Vol. 43 (2003). p
The most common types of occupational cancer are:
lung cancer
bladder cancer
mesothelioma (caused by asbestos exposure)
When we break down occupational cancer and look at what types of cancer most commonly occur we see the most common types of occupational cancer are lung cancer, bladder cancer and mesothelioma (caused by asbestos exposure).

12. Risk factors affected by
Occupational cancer risk factors affected by:
Type of Exposure
Length and Intensity of Exposure
Person’s Genetic Make-up
Carcinogens do not cause cancer in every case or all the time. Substances labeled as carcinogens may have different levels of cancer-causing potential. Some may cause cancer only after prolonged, high levels of exposure. And for any particular person, the risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including how they are exposed to a carcinogen, the length and intensity of the exposure, and the person's genetic makeup.

13. Many unknowns still exist
Less than 2% of of chemicals manufactured or processed in the U.S. have been tested for carcinogenicity.
Studying occupational cancer is very challenging because of the long latency period between exposure and diagnosis of cancer and the involvement of many factors in the development of cancer.
Although scientists have identified a number of confirmed human carcinogens, less than 2% of of chemicals manufactured or processed in the U.S. have been tested for carcinogenicity. Studying occupational cancer is very challenging because of the long latency period between exposure and diagnosis of cancer and the involvement of many factors in the development of cancer.

14. The additive effect of multiple carcinogens
Scientists are unsure of how multiple carcinogens can work together to increase one’s risk of developing cancer. A Synergistic effect is where the combined effect of two chemicals is much greater than the sum of the effects of each agent alone (maybe 10 times or more). Some chemicals when combined are enhanced to cause a greater biologic effect in the body. Example: The much higher incidence of lung cancer resulting from occupational exposure to asbestos in smokers (compared to exposed non-smokers).
Scientists are often unsure of how multiple carcinogens can work together to increase one’s risk of developing cancer. Interactions between two or more carcinogens in the workplace are poorly understood. Exposure could result in no interaction or have an additive effect.
A Synergistic effect is where the combined effect of two chemicals is much greater than the sum of the effects of each agent alone (maybe 10 times or more). Some chemicals when combined are enhanced to cause a greater biologic effect in the body. An example of this is the synergistic relationship between smoking and asbestos. There is a much higher incidence of lung cancer resulting from occupational exposure to asbestos in smokers (compared to exposed non-smokers).

15. Key to all occupational exposures and occupational cancer… It can be prevented.
A key to all occupational exposures and occupational cancer is it can be prevented.
By educating yourself on carcinogens in the workplace and learning how to reduce exposures one can work safely to control the hazards of any substance or agent.

16. How to Identify Carcinogens in the Workplace
Ask your supervisor or administrator for a list of chemicals in your workplace that are carcinogens. This is an Administrator’s function.
Supervisors and administrators can use the msdsBinders system to identify chemicals in their MSDS that contain Carcinogens.
A list of all MSDS that contain carcinogens can be produced. You can download the list and print it out for workers.

17. How Exposure Occurs in the Workplace
Common routes of exposure:
Inhalation – breathing gases, dust or vapours
Absorption through the skin
Accidental Ingestion with food
In the workplace, the most common route of exposure to chemicals are by inhalation (breathing a substance into the lungs), skin absorption, and accidental ingestion (swallowing).
By being vigilant at the work and taking precautions to minimize exposure everyone can reduce the risk of accidental exposure.

18. 10 Safe Work Practises to Protect Yourself from Carcinogens
Chemscape has put together a list of 10 safe work practices you can do to protect yourself from carcinogens in the workplace.

19. #1- Eliminate or Substitute
Elimination or substitution of hazardous material
Hazardous chemicals can sometimes be substituted with less dangerous chemicals. Ask yourself if you really need to use this chemical for the job, or is there a safer option?
# 1 - The most effective way to reduce your workplace exposure is by eliminating hazardous materials or substituting them with less hazardous materials. Ask yourself if you really need to use this chemical for the job, or is there a safer option?

20. #2- Review a Chemical’s Safety Data Sheet and Label
Access a product’s SDS through your msdsBinders account.
An SDS contains information on the chemical you are working with as well as proper handling instructions.
#2 - Understand the chemical you are working with. This can be done by accessing the safety data sheet in msdsBinders for information on the chemical. It will contain information on proper handling instructions. Ask your supervisor for clarification if necessary. Carcinogens can be identified by the following GHS Pictogram.
GHS Pictogram for Carcinogen

21. #3 – Follow the Engineering Controls
Engineering controls can include:
isolation
enclosure
local exhaust ventilation
process or equipment modification
#3 – Follow all the prescribed engineering controls for the product. Read the SDS to review. Engineering controls are only effective if used properly. A hood or intake, at or over the source of exposure, draws contaminated air from the source so that it cannot spread into the room and into your breathing zone. If you are working in a ventilated area, it is important to ensure the ventilation system is working properly at all times. If the ventilation system becomes faulty, leave the work area and inform your supervisor immediately.

22. #4 - Use PPE Correctly
It is important that you use the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
SmartCharts can be used to identify the required PPE.
#4 - It is important that you use the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In msdsBinders you can download a SmartChart like this one. These charts can be posted at work stations, in chemical storage areas and on the front cover of your msdsBinder. A quick look at the chart will communicate to all chemical users which PPE is required on the job. The PPE symbols listed here must be added by an administrator after reviewing how these products are used. Once completed anyone can use this to help with hazard assessments. You will see there are different icons for different types of PPE including eye and face protection.

23. # 5 – Practise Good Housekeeping
Wash after finishing work and preferably before coming home.
Immediately change soiled clothes to prevent contact with skin.
Remove work clothes before eating and before leaving work.
Use a change area separate from the work area.
Keep work clothes clean. If you take work clothes home to be cleaned, put them in a plastic bag, and transport in the trunk of your vehicle.
Keep work clothes away from other laundry and wash them separately to protect your family.
Do not take tools, scrap, chemicals, packaging, and similar items home.
It is also very important to store all chemicals safely as per your company’s policies. Dispose of unwanted chemicals safely.
#5 Practise good housekeeping to ensure you do not take contaminants home.
Wash after finishing work and preferably before coming home.
Immediately change soiled clothes to prevent contact with skin.
Remove work clothes before eating and before leaving work.
Use a change area separate from the work area.
Keep work clothes clean. If you take work clothes home to be cleaned, put them in a plastic bag, and transport in the trunk of your vehicle.
Keep work clothes away from other laundry and wash them separately to protect your family.
Do not take tools, scrap, chemicals, packaging, and similar items home.
It is also very important to store all chemicals safely as per your company’s policies. Dispose of unwanted chemicals safely.

24. # 6 – Practise Good Hygiene
Keep hands and sleeves away from your lips and mouth.
Don’t eat, chew or drink in the work area.
Always wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking and after using the washroom.
Avoid breathing chemical vapours.
Avoid skin contact with chemicals.
# 6 – Practise Good Hygiene
Keep hands and sleeves away from your lips and mouth.
Don’t eat, chew or drink in the work area.
Always wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking and after using the washroom.
Avoid breathing chemical vapours.
Avoid skin contact with chemicals.

25. #7 - Education and Training
Be knowledgeable about the hazards associated with chemicals in the workplace.
Participate in training and monitoring programs.
Ensure your WHMIS training is up-to-date.
# 7 - Employee education and training. Be knowledgeable about the hazards associated with chemicals in the workplace. Participate in training and monitoring programs. Ensure your WHMIS training is up-to-date.

26. # 8 - Report every spill, leak and accident immediately
# 8 – Report every spill, leak and accident immediately. Familiarize yourself with the safe workplace policies and procedures and emergency procedures. Emergency response guides are automatically attached to MSDSs on the msdsBinders system.

27. # 9 - Go tobacco-free
In addition to the adverse health effects of tobacco smoke. Did you know? Smoking can also dramatically increase or add to the severity of health effects of other inhaled chemicals.
# 9 - Respect smoke free regulations. In addition to the adverse health effects of smoking,
Did you know? Smoking can also dramatically increase or add to the severity of health effects of other inhaled chemicals.
Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 70 are known carcinogens. Quitting smoking at any age can lower the risk of cancer.

28. #10 – Maintain a work & health history
Keep a list of all the jobs and industries you have worked in.
# 10 - Maintain a work & health history of all the jobs and industries you have worked in.

29. Take control of your health
5-10 servings of vegetables and fruits daily.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
45 minutes of continuous activity; 5 days a week
Wearing sunscreen of SPF15 or higher, cover-up and seek shade.
See your doctor to discuss your cancer risk.
Finally, Take control of your health to reduce all possible risks
• Try to eat 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruits daily.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
Get up and move. We need at least 45 minutes of continuous activity at least 5 days a week.
• Protect your skin from UV Exposure by covering up and wearing sunscreen of SPF15 or higher, and seeking shade when possible.
• Finally see your doctor to discuss your cancer risk.

30. Summary Occupational cancer is preventable.
Take steps to reduce exposure and risks.
Greater controls lead to greater health.
Most of the exposure risks for occupational cancer are preventable. Use the knowledge from this presentation and take every measure to prevent chemical exposure and risk. The work environment is one of the determinants that can influence your health. Having greater control over your work and experiencing fewer stressors leads to a healthier and longer life.

31. Contact us if you have any questions 403-720-6737 support@chemscape
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have further questions regarding this health topic, please contact your Chemscape representative.

32. Resources
Alberta Cancer Foundation
National Toxicology Program
American Cancer Society
Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NIAOSH List of Carcinogens
OSHA (USA)