Occupational Cancer in the Trades
Many cancers in construction and industrial workers come from exposures that happened 10, 20 or 40 years earlier. Because the harm is slow and invisible, it’s easy to shrug off dust and fumes today. Controlling exposure now, and keeping records, protects your future.
- All trades
- General Industry
Workplace causes of cancer
| Exposure | Cancers | Common jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | Mesothelioma, lung, larynx, ovary | Demolition, renovation, insulators, pipefitters. See Asbestos |
| Crystalline silica | Lung | Concrete, masonry, stone. See Silica |
| Diesel exhaust | Lung | Equipment operators, mechanics, truck drivers. See Diesel Exhaust |
| Welding fume | Lung | Welders. See Welding Fume |
| Hexavalent chromium | Lung, nose | Stainless welding, chrome plating. See Hexavalent Chromium |
| Sunlight (UV) | Skin cancers, including melanoma | All outdoor workers. See Sun Protection |
| Wood dust | Nose and sinus | Carpenters, cabinet makers. See Wood Dust |
| Benzene | Leukemia | Refinery and fuel work |
| Coal tar, creosote, some asphalt products | Skin, lung | Roofers, pavers, rail tie handlers |
| Formaldehyde | Nose and throat, leukemia | Resins, some building products |
Smoking makes it much worse
Smoking combined with asbestos, silica or diesel exposure multiplies lung cancer risk far beyond either one alone. Quitting at any age lowers your risk. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help.
Protect yourself now
- Use the controls: water, vacuums, ventilation and enclosed cabs.
- Wear your respirator correctly when it’s required. See Respiratory Protection.
- Protect your skin from the sun and from chemicals.
- Don’t take dust home. See Take-Home Contamination.
Keep records for later
- Keep a list of your employers, jobsites, dates and the materials you worked with
- Ask for copies of air monitoring and medical records. See Access to Records
- Tell every doctor about your work history and exposures
- Ask your doctor whether cancer screening (like low-dose CT for lung cancer) makes sense for you
Workers’ comp and other help: Cancers caused by work exposures can be covered by workers’ compensation, and some groups, like former Department of Energy site workers, have special screening and compensation programs. See Workers’ Compensation.
Standards & references
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