Article Text

Download PDFPDF

0050 Working towards assessing occupational carcinogenic exposures in an african lower and middle income country
Free
  1. Caradee Wright1,3,
  2. Johan du Plessis2,
  3. Renee Street1,
  4. Patricia Forbes3,
  5. Hanna-Andrea Rother4,
  6. Thandi Kapwata1,
  7. Manisha Pahwa5,
  8. Paul Demers5,
  9. Cheryl Peters6,7
  1. 1South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
  2. 2North-West University, Potchefstroom, North-West, South Africa
  3. 3University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
  4. 4University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  5. 5Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  6. 6Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  7. 7CAREX Canada, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Aim We aim to use the Canadian CAREX (CARcinogen EXposure) tool, adapted for local context, as a method to assess prevalence and level of exposure to priority occupational carcinogens in South Africa.

Methods The work entails first understanding the CAREX tool, and adapting it as well as reviewing its use in other countries (phase 1). Once the tool and database are prepared, we will gather publicly available data (i.e. Census data, information on chemical use, trade data, published and grey literature, expert consultation, etc.) on occupational exposure to carcinogens as well as exposure monitoring data (phase 2). We will consider all occupational health and safety legislation and its regulations regarding occupational exposure limits, and those carcinogens prioritised locally and internationally, for example by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. All data will be used to estimate the number of South African workers occupationally exposed to carcinogens (and where possible, their level of exposure) (phase 3). Ultimately, this will help guide the development of appropriate health promotion and worker protection programmes, among other resources aimed at cancer prevention (phase 4).

Results Here we will present the experience of the team during phase 1 of the project, including challenges and opportunities encountered.

Expected outcomes Key future outcomes include prevalence of exposure to occupational environmental carcinogens in the South African workplace; also proportions of the workforce in various occupational groups exposed to specific carcinogens; key occupational groups in need of protection; data and information that can be used to guide prevention programs.

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.