More than 5,000 cancers are caused every year due to the carcinogens present in the workplace, a new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia reveals. Lead author Professor Lin Fritschi said that while it is difficult to come to the exact number of cancers caused by workplace carcinogens, over 5,000 cases annually can be directly traced to cancer causing agents present in work environment.
The authors added that in spite of such a high number, the government is doing little to ensure that the source of the carcinogens are identified and reduced. They also wrote that people are not being informed of the dangers of the work environment and thus legitimate compensation claims are not being filed.
“Poor awareness of exposure to occupational carcinogens and (a) lack of attribution of cancer to occupational causes limits opportunities to reduce the likelihood and extent of exposure. In addition, potentially legitimate compensation cases are not pursued”, the authors wrote.
Source-Medindia