10/11/2008
More people are dying from work-related cancers in Scotland than previously thought, according to research.  Professor Andrew Watterson from the University of Stirling estimated that about 1,800 cancer deaths a year are the result of work-related factors. He has called for the Scottish Government to legislate to reduce toxic pollution.

Ministers said that while they took the issue "extremely seriously", regulation was reserved to Westminster.

Writing in the European Journal of Oncology, Prof Watterson, an expert in occupational health, said more people were being exposed to cancer causing materials than ever before.

He estimated that about 10% of all cancers were work related. He added that Scotland gives a higher priority to road deaths and murders, which claimed about 1,250 lives in 2003/04, than it does to tackling work-related cancers.

While the issue is usually associated with older industries involving asbestos, Prof Watterson said carcinogens were present in diesel, pesticides, silica, wood dust and solvents.

He said: "In Scotland more people die from occupational cancers than die from road traffic fatalities, murder and suicide all combined. "Although health and safety are reserved to London, in terms of exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens, there is a huge impact on the health service, environmental pollution and the environment.

"The Scottish Government could introduce toxic use reduction strategies that will reduce exposure to carcinogens.

"They could also help, plan and advise companies on how to go about reducing their use of such substances. There are solutions."

Source: BBC