ABSTRACT
Introduction Occupational exposure to carcinogens is a well-established cause of cancer. Whereas many cancers have an unknown source, cancers due to occupational exposures have known sources. This means that they are preventable if proper safety guidelines and equipment are used all the time. If they are correctly applied, the number of occupational cancers should be reduced. Workplace exposures may affect only a relatively small number of people but the level of exposure and risk for that group can be high. The most common cancers associated with occupational exposure are:
Causes of work-related cancers Tobacco Smoking is considered the greatest risk factor for lung cancer. Employees in environments such as bars, restaurants, and offices are at greatest risk from second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is highly dangerous. Non-smokers who live with a smoker are at 30% greater risk of developing lung cancer than if they lived with a non-smoker.
