Data from the SUMER survey 2003 give a estimation of the quantity of workers exposed to carcinogen products. In 2003, about 2 370 000 persons were exposed in France (13,5% of the total workforce). In ten years, the proportion of exposed workers has slightly raised but the use of collective protection has also improved. Still about 40% of the exposed workers get no collective protection.

Young workers and temporary agency workers are more exposed to carcinogens than the average. The proportion of exposed workers is particularly high among workers under a apprentice contract. Exposure to carcinogens increase the health social inequalities. About 3% of the managers are exposed againt more than 25% of blue collar workers.

28 products are considered by the SUMER survey. Among them, 8 products represent more than 2/3 of all the exposures. Those products are mineral oils, three organic solvents, asbestos, wood dust, diesel exhaust fumes and crystalline silica.
The number of workers exposed to mineral oils and asbestos is declining while more than 200.000 workers are exposed to crystalline silica. More than 50% of them are working in the building industry. The working conditions of workers exposed to crystalline silica are particularly worrying. Only 39% of them get some respiratory protection.
Source: DARES, July 2005

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