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1358076 
Journal Article 
Occupational cancer 
Walker, B, Jr 
1982 
Yes 
Journal of Environmental Health
ISSN: 0022-0892 
NIOSH/00140588 
44 
4 
176-179 
Work related cancers are reviewed. Disputes over the true incidence of occupational cancers are noted. The absence of a national reporting system to define the incidence of cancer in the country as a whole is cited; there is a lack of information on proportion of environmental cancers and proportion related to occupation. A government estimate places the fraction of cancer related to occupational factors at 20 to 38 percent, based on data for workers exposed to asbestos (1332214), arsenic (7440382), benzene (71432), chromates, nickel-oxide and petroleum (8009038) derivatives. Epidemiological views are considered. Local and regional variations are discussed. High rates occur in the northeastern United States and are characterized by colon and breast cancer in females and a high cancer frequency rate in New Jersey and other urban industrial areas and in areas of heavy concentrations of petroleum industries. The long latency period for industrial cancers and the effect of age are presented; cancers associated with identified environmental agents do not become clinically evident until 15 to 40 years after exposure. Social and economic factors are considered; it is difficult to separate the health aspect effects of life style that are a function of intellectual and economic resources. The use of the incidence approach to calculating the cost of cancer is more appropriate for gauging the economic gains achievable through prevention, immediate rehabilitation and arrest of progression. The qualitative identification of carcinogens and the estimation of risk in terms of response to dose for a substance or agent are emphasized. The need for better information and for fuller integration of knowledge for specific health goals is cited. The author concludes that the identification and removal of cancer causing agents involves a gamut of scientific, societal and technical factors. 
DCN-128244; Occupational diseases; Occupational exposure; Carcinogens; Risk factors; Epidemiology; Cancer rates; Asbestos fibers; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Arsenic compounds; Chromates; Nickel compounds