Comparative analysis of the main occupations working conditions in the copper production by pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods in Russia

Introduction. The primary materials for copper production are sulfide copper-nickel and oxidized ores with a copper percentage of 1.5-4%, traditionally processed by the pyrometallurgical method. For processing depleted copper-containing raw materials (less than 1%), the pyrometallurgical approach is not commonly suitable. The introduced hydrometallurgical way differs by including in one production process, combined underground leaching of ore, extraction of copper from solution, and the following electrolysis. At the same time, insufficient attention is paid to the hydrometallurgical method of processing depleted copper raw materials from a hygienic standpoint in our country. Materials and methods. Based on the results of our research carried out at copper-smelting plants using pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods of processing raw materials, a comparative analysis was carried out for such indicators as the pollutants content in the workplaces’ air at different stages of production, predicted values of occupational cancer risks, toxicity indicators, and the health and essential physiological functions of workers. Results. Working under increased heat intensity in hot shops, exposure to sulfur-containing gases and industrial aerosols leads to significant changes in hemodynamics and thermoregulation stress in workers. In the hydrometallurgical production of copper, the only occupational hazard exceeding hygienic standards is sulfuric acid vapours, and changes in physiological parameters and thermoregulation are insignificant. The predicted values of occupational cancer risk for hydrometallurgical machines operators exceed the acceptable level after 9-10 years of working experience. For smelters, an unacceptable level of risk is achieved with up to 5 years of working experience. Conclusion. For the first time in the country, a hygienic assessment of the hydrometallurgical method of processing depleted copper raw materials was proved to be the only appropriate method of improving working conditions in copper production.

Blastomogenic effect of oil and products of its processing

Recently, in a number of new and old industries, there has been an increased incidence of occupational cancer among workers. IV Davydovsky (1959) gives the following data: if in the USA in 1928 there were 98 cases of occupational and industrial cancer per 100 thousand workers, then in 1952 there were already 500; in Europe during the same period the number of cases of occupational cancer increased more than 3 times - from 2200 to 7200. Similar indications can be found in L. M. Shabad (1947), Huper (1952), P. P. Dvizhkov (1960), P. A. Bogovsky (1960).

OCCUPATIONAL CANCER BURDEN: THE CONTRIBUTION OF EXPOSURE TO PROCESS-GENERATED SUBSTANCES AT THE WORKPLACE

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica, diesel engine exhaust emissions and welding fumes are widespread risk factors for lung cancer, and account for approximately half of the occupational lung cancer burden. If employers succeed in controlling workplace exposures to these process-generated substances, the fraction of lung cancers attributable to occupational exposures could be reduced dramatically.

AN INVENTORY OF OCCUPATIONAL CANCER STUDIES AND THEIR EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT METHODS IN IRAN

Introduction: The presence of occupational carcinogens in workplaces in Iran is not well characterized, and little is known about the burden of occupational cancer in Iran and other Middle East countries. Objectives: This study aimed to provide an overview of exposure assessments used in or informative for epidemiological studies on occupational cancer in Iran. Methods: Studies estimating occupational exposures applied to or informative for occupational cancer risk up to January 2021 in Iran were identified through different databases. Results: Forty-nine publications from 2009 to 2020 were included. The exposure monitoring studies were conducted mainly in gasoline refueling stations, foundries, construction industry, and manufacturing, and some of the case-control studies also reported increased risk of cancers in relation to work in those industries. Conclusion: Occupational cancer epidemiology in Iran is at an early stage. Both epidemiological and exposure monitoring studies are generally limited in size to provide robust evidence. A coherent strategy to estimate the occupational cancer burden in Iran should start with systematic monitoring of occupational carcinogens for use in hazard control and research.

OCCUPATIONAL CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

It is estimated that exposure to carcinogens at the workplace are responsible for around 3-5% of the total cancer burden in Europe; this figure may be even somewhat higher for the Russian Federation due to its large industrial workforce. As most occupational exposures are modifiable risk factors, occupational hygiene and safety has a major role in primary cancer prevention. While both experimental and epidemiological studies contribute to the identification of carcinogens, ultimately the epidemiology is needed for determining the risk of individuals and populations under real-life exposure conditions and co-exposures. Occupational cohort studies are a very strong methodology to obtain this scientific evidence and with the conduct of a large-scale study of chrysotile workers in Asbest, Sverdlovsk Oblast, a blueprint has been developed on how to conduct further studies of that type in other industries. This will inform the elimination strategy of occupational cancer in the Russian Federation as well as our understanding of occupational cancers on global scale.

Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens and Occupational Epidemiological Cancer Studies in Iran: A Review

Introduction: The extent of exposure to occupational carcinogens is not well characterized in Iran, and little is known about the burden of occupational cancer. Objectives: This study aimed to describe exposure to occupational carcinogens and occupational epidemiology studies in Iran. Methods: Relevant studies up to January 2021 in Iran were identified through three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Results: Forty-nine publications from 2009 to 2020 (one cohort, 11 case-control, 34 exposure monitoring studies, and three cancer burden studies) were included. The exposure monitoring studies were conducted mainly in the petroleum industry, metal industry, manufacturing of electronics, manufacturing of plastics, construction industry, and service industry. A few of the case-control studies also reported increased risk of cancers in relation to work in those industries. Conclusions: Occupational cancer epidemiology in Iran is at an early stage. Both epidemiological and exposure monitoring studies are generally limited in size to provide robust evidence of occupational cancer risks. A coherent strategy to estimate the occupational cancer burden in Iran should start with conducting epidemiological studies along with systematic monitoring of occupational carcinogens for use in hazard control and research.

Strategies of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) to reduce the occupational cancer burden

The main mission of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) is to conduct research for cancer prevention worldwide. The strategies of the IARC to reduce the occupational cancer burden include enhancing cancer surveillance, evaluating and classifying potential human carcinogens, and conducting epidemiological research to fill gaps in knowledge on occupationally related cancers. Beyond the IARC work, it is essential to systematically monitor occupational exposures in workplaces, in order to effectively protect workers. There are multiple sources of information about occupational exposures in workplaces, but they are often not used for hazard surveillance or for research. The Russian Federation has great potential to advance research and worker protection due to their strong tradition to monitor and record exposure concentrations in workplaces. Currently most evidence regarding occupational cancer burden comes from Western Europe and North America. Estimation of the burden of occupational cancer requires accurate data from local settings as extrapolating data from other settings may be misleading due to major differences in exposures, exposure pathways and baseline cancer risks. To fill this knowledge gap, it is important to conduct exposure surveillance and epidemiological studies on occupational cancer in the Russian Federation.

Change in Employment Status in Survivors With Occupational Cancers: A Case Control Study

Background: The change of employment status in cancer survivors is underinvestigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the change in employment status in survivors with occupational cancers at the time of diagnosis until 2 years. Methods: In this study, we included 382 occupational cancer workers. In these 382 workers, 218 workers were insured. Ninety-nine occupational cancer workers in 2004-2015 were included for the change of employment status and salary buckets. The confirmation of change of employment status was retrieved in the Labor Insurance Database’s employment data. Results: The mean age of cancer workers were 51.38 ± 9.1119 years old and the average salary of industry of NTD 30511.6 ± 3980.6. In our results, most cancer survivors are in 46-55-year-old group (40.7%). Salary adjustment are the most change in the employment status in cancer survivors. Conclusion: Change of employment status in cancer survivors are important to decrease the impact of economic burden on society.

Cancer Incidence and Mortality among Firefighters: An Overview of Epidemiologic Systematic Reviews

Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens that may increase their risk of developing many types of occupational cancer. Many systematic reviews (SRs) have been produced with sometimes conflicting conclusions. In this overview of reviews, we aim to assess the conclusion consistency across the available systematic reviews on the cancer risk in firefighters. Literature searches were conducted in several indexed databases and grey literature to retrieve systematic reviews aiming to evaluate cancer incidence or cancer mortality in firefighters. Results from included SRs were analyzed according to the tumour site. Out of 1054 records identified by the search in the databases, a total of 11 SRs were ultimately included. The original studies (n = 104) analyzed in the SRs were published between 1959 and 2018. The results consistently reported a significant increase in the incidence of rectal, prostate, bladder and testicular cancers as well as mesothelioma and malignant melanoma in firefighters compared to the general population. The SRs also indicate that death rates from rectal cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are higher among firefighters. Consistent SR results suggest that several types of cancer may be more frequent in firefighters than in the general population.