Choice of health outcomes

Work-related malignant conditions can arise from a variety of exposures, but we consider only the three  main documented occupational cancers: lung cancer, leukaemia and malignant mesothelioma.  Although other cancers are known to have occupational causes, there are not enough data on exposure and risk, and the number of cases are too few, for the data to be  included in this guide.  These other cancers
(and their causative agents) include:

1. bladder cancer (aromatic amines, benzidine dyes and methylene-bis-ortho-chloroaniline);
2. liver cancer (vinyl chloride);
3. nasal cavity and middle ear cancer (hardwood dust, chromium VI compounds, nickel compounds);
4. bone and articular cartilage cancer (ionizing radiation);
5. skin cancer (arsenic, by-products of distillation, ionizing radiation);
6. lung cancer (from passive smoke in the workplace).

In the comparative risk assessment (CRA) study of Concha-Barrientos et al. (2004), the criteria used to assess causal connections between exposures and outcomes of interest were a consistent relationship between the risk factor and the outcome across different studies and settings; and the strength of the evidence of the relationship.
Data sources were evaluated to assess the strength of the evidence linking specific cancers with exposure to chemical or physical agents.