Occupational exposure and Cancer : perspectives from the trade unions Tony Musu European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) HEAL workshop Cancer Prevention & the Environment Brussels, 2 December 2008

81 member organisations 36 European countries 12 industry federations 60 million workers European Trade Union Confederation: ETUC is the European social partner representing workers The Treaty of Maastricht (1992) guarantees this formal status Together with the employers, it is involved in consultation in areas such as employment, social affairs, macroeconomic, industrial and regional policy.

3 Data on cancers in the EU ? New cases of cancer : > 2 million/year (IARC,2006) Cancer mortality : > 1 million/year (IARC,2006) In the EU, 23 % of the workforce exposed to carcinogens on a daily basis (Carex) Occupational cancer : ~ 8 %. Probably higher among male workers (ETUI, 2007) Occupational cancer: main cause of working conditions-related deaths in Europe (ETUI, 2007)

4 The fraction of cancers attributable to a work- related cause varies by type of cancer: Localisation (Source: ETUI, 2007) Lower estimate Higher estimate Lung13%29% Pleural Mesothelioma 85%88% Bladder10%14.2% Sinus24%41% Leukaemia 5%18%

5 An unequal burden of disease Les expositions aux produits cancérogènes, DARES, juillet 2005

6 Most widespread carcinogens at work : Solar radiation Passive smoking Crystalline silica Diesel engine exhausts Radon Wood dust Lead and its inorganic compounds Benzene Asbestos Formaldehyde Chromium VI

7 Occupational cancer: the Cinderella disease Public health policy focused on individual factors Concealment of existing information by the Industry (eg: asbestos & vinyl chloride scandals) Long lag time between exposure and disease Cancers are multifactoral diseases and working conditions are often ignored by doctors

8 The EU legislation on carcinogens Two categories: 1. Marketing of carcinogens 2. Workers’ protection The Carcinogens Directive (2004/37/EC) :  Hierarchy of obligations for employers : elimination, replacement, control  Binding Occupational Exposure Limit Values: benzene, hardwood dust, vinyl chloride monomer

9 The revision of the Carcinogens directive initiated in 2004 ETUC response to Commission’s consultation:  Extension to reprotoxins  Updated BOELVs  New OELVs: crystalline silica, softwood dust Recent news : Commission refuses to extend the scope of the directive to reprotoxins

10 REACH and carcinogens Registration:  CMR > 1t/y  Chemical safety report >10 t/y Authorisation:  CMRs of class 1 or 2 – risk « adequately controlled »  Health Vs socio-economic benefits « substitution principle » : mandatory in the Carcinogens directive, not in REACH !

11 TU involvement & agenda REACH, an opportunity for a new start Synergies between REACH & OSH legislation Workers’ involvement for Substitution Make occupational cancers more visible to the authorities Better recognition and compensation Revision of the Carcinogens Directive Global ban on asbestos + stop last EU derogation

12 Thank you for your attention ! Further info: >Dossiers > Chemicals >Dossiers > Occupational cancers Publication: Occupational cancer, The Cinderella disease by Marie-Anne Mengeot, ETUI, 2007 (52 pages)