Past estimates suggested that about 4% of cancer deaths in the United States
(U.S.) are caused by occupational exposures. Current thinking is that this
number underestimates the true burden of occupational cancer. Many of the
studies that reported on the health effects of carcinogens were conducted in
manufacturing, the sector which - with more than 16 million workers - has one
of the largest workforces in the U.S. Based on the results of these studies,
workplace exposures to carcinogens have been monitored and reduced worldwide,
in some cases through the development of protective standards.

Now, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
through the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) wants to focus cancer
prevention efforts on the manufacturing sector, which includes industries such
as Beverage and Tobacco, Food, Wood Products, Primary Metals, Fabricated Metal
Products, Transportation Equipment, Furniture, and Chemical Manufacturers.

NORA is a partnership program designed to stimulate innovative research and
improved workplace practices. NORA encourages partners to collaborate to
identify the most critical issues in workplace safety and health and then work
together to develop goals and objectives for addressing these needs.

NORA recently released a publication, Work-Related Cancer (NIOSH Publication
No. 2010-145: May 2010) which outlines the strategic goal to reduce the
incidence and prevalence of cancer due to exposures in the manufacturing
sector. The publication suggests ways in which you can help in this effort by
applying research findings, educating employees and employers about existing
workplace hazards linked to cancer, and developing and adopting interventions
shown to be effective in preventing work-related cancer.

More info

AplusA-online.de - Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)