Is your job giving you cancer?
Hairdressers, farmers, petroleum workers, truck drivers all appear to have a high risk of developing cancer than their office worker counterparts.
Interesting Article coming out of New Zealand:
Blue collar workers such as cleaners, truck drivers, fruit and vegetable growers and meat processors are at higher risk of developing cancer than their office-based counterparts, a new study warns.
Hairdressers and sewing machinists were also found to be far more susceptible to bladder cancer than other workers.
Scientists believe exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, dyes, pesticides and viruses are causing spikes in job-related diseases.
The startling research from Massey University's Centre for Public Health Research in New Zealand - published in two international journals - revealed the full extent of occupational cancer risks in the 21st century.
Apple and pear growers were singled out as five times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, while plant nursery staff recorded a four-fold increased risk.
"An elevated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk was observed for field crop and vegetable growers and horticulture and fruit growing, particularly for women," study author Dr Andrea 't Mannetje said.
"Meat processors had an elevated risk, as did heavy truck drivers, workers employed in metal product manufacturing and cleaners."
Suggested reasons for the higher cancer risk include exposure to animal viruses, cleaning chemicals, petrochemicals, trace metals and lubricants.
Farmers who spray pesticides manually are likely to be at greater risk than those who use machines, according to Dr 't Mannetje.
Use of carcinogenic chemicals known as aromatic amines is blamed for higher rates of bladder cancer in hairdressing and sewing machine work.
Several forms of the chemicals are banned but similar substances are still used in common fabric and hair dyes.
Cancer Council of NSW CEO Dr Andrew Penman called for closer checks on exposure levels to determine risk.
"I think everyone recognises that there are these unexplained increases in cancer risk in these population groups," he said.
"What we need now is something that measures specific exposure to individuals.
"We can reduce exposure to chemicals through prudent precautionary actions."
Serena Ferraro, manager of Over The Top Hair Design at Five Dock, said her staff were specially trained to use high-quality hair dye safely.
"Our girls learn how to colour with a comb and brush so the chemicals don't even touch your skin,'' she said.
The next phase of the study is expected by the end of the year.
An Australian report last week concluded that hair dye was unlikely to cause cancer in the general population.
But hairdressers were still acknowledged to be at higher risk through prolonged exposure to aromatic amines.
