Men's Health Week is a reminder to support the men in our lives - and that includes looking out for their health at work.
Over half of all men in Australia are exposed to at least one carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) while at work. Men who hold a trade and live in regional areas are among those most likely to be exposed [1]. Lung cancer is one of the main cancers caused by exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. This Men's Health Week is a chance for men to look out for their lung health at work.
Here are some of the most common risk factors for lung cancer that we need to be aware of in the workplace:
- Beyond the tailpipe: Diesel engine exhaust
It is estimated that 1.2 million Australian workers are exposed to diesel engine exhaust every year, making it the second most common carcinogen workers are exposed to after solar ultraviolet radiation [1]. It is created by burning diesel fuels and consists of a complex mixture of gases and tiny particles, called diesel particulate matter, which can travel deep into the lungs when breathed in. Any worker can be exposed to diesel engine exhaust if they work with or around diesel-powered engines, especially in confined spaces and in areas with poor ventilation. Men working in mining, construction, agriculture, transport, and vehicle maintenance are among those most likely to be exposed.
- "A little bit of dust can't hurt me…": Silica dust
An estimated 554,000 men are exposed to silica dust at work every year [2]. Silica dust is created when products containing silica, such as stone, rock, bricks, tiles, concrete, and stone benchtops are worked on. This includes a wide range of job tasks like stonemasonry, demolition, bricklaying, paving, road construction, excavating, quarrying, mining, and using power tools on silica-containing materials. Men in the mining and construction industries are among those who have the greatest exposure to silica dust.
- Weld wisely: Welding fumes
At least 46,000 Australian welders are exposed to high levels of welding fumes at work, with men making up 99% of the welding workforce [3]. Welding fumes are made when a metal is heated above its boiling point and the metal cools and then condenses into fumes that contain fine particles. Some welding fumes are easy to see, but many are invisible. Exposure to welding fumes is influenced by multiple factors, including the type of welding process used, materials being welded, use of ventilation controls, respiratory protective equipment worn, and the length of time welding.
- Asbestos: Do not disturb!
Although asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003, it can still be found in millions of homes and public and commercial buildings. Men working in the building and construction industry as plumbers, carpenters, and electricians are among those likely to encounter asbestos at some stage. Asbestos fibres are released into the air when asbestos-containing materials are damaged, disturbed, or deteriorating. Asbestos fibres are around 50 to 200 times thinner than a human hair, which means they are often invisible and can be breathed in easily.
Look after your mates, and your lungs!
Breathing in these carcinogens can increase the risk of lung cancer. That's why it is so important to always use appropriate control measures to prevent or reduce exposure for you and your mates. This can include things like:
- Replacing diesel-powered engines with other energy sources like electric
- Substituting for a safer material or work process
- Separating welding activities from other work jobs
- Using mechanical ventilation
- Installing emission control devices such as particulate filters
- Using on-tool extraction
- Using water suppression
- Rotating job tasks between workers
- Wearing correct respiratory protective equipment.
Protecting men's health means making workplaces safer. Learn more about workplace cancer.
References
[1] Carey RN, Driscoll TR, Peters S, Glass DC, Reid A, Benke G, Fritschi L. Estimated prevalence of exposure to occupational carcinogens in Australia (2011-2012). Occupational and environmental medicine. 2014 Jan 1;71(1):55-62.
[2] Carey RN, Fritschi L. The future burden of lung cancer and silicosis from occupational silica exposure in Australia: A preliminary analysis, April 2022. Perth, WA: Curtin University. Available at: https://www.curtin.edu.au/about/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/FEFreport_formatted.pdf
[3] Fritschi L, Driscoll TR, Nguyen H, Abdallah K, Carey RN. Occupational exposure to welding fume in Australia: An online survey. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2024 Aug 1;48(4):100165.
