A new study has revealed that approximately 29.5% of health and social care workers in Europe are exposed to cancer-causing risks during their work. These findings come at a time when the continent is suffering from rising cancer-related mortality rates, with 100,000 deaths recorded annually due to this disease.
The study, conducted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), included 24,402 telephone interviews with workers from several European countries, including Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, and Spain, during the period from 2022 to 2023.
Event Details
The results showed that 47.3% of workers across all sectors were exposed to cancer-causing risks during the past week of work. Among health and social care workers, 7.8% reported exposure to multiple risks. Michelle Turner, the lead author of the study, confirmed that the risks associated with exposure to carcinogenic materials in this sector were less apparent compared to other economic sectors.
The identified risks in the study include exposure to ionizing radiation, diesel engine emissions, ultraviolet rays, and chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. The study recorded that 7.4% of workers were exposed to ionizing radiation, 6.2% to diesel, and 6.1% to ultraviolet rays.
Background & Context
The health and social care sector is one of the largest sectors in Europe, employing 11% of the total workforce, which amounts to over 21.6 million people. These jobs include work in hospitals, care homes, medical practices, and home care services.
Work-related risks are a priority for cancer prevention, as they involve large groups of individuals exposed to high concentrations of hazardous materials for extended periods. The European Code Against Cancer has highlighted the importance of effectively addressing these risks.
Impact & Consequences
This study underscores the urgent need to develop preventive strategies that align with the real working conditions in this field. Health and social care workers are exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals, increasing their risk of developing cancer.
These findings require an immediate response from governments and health authorities to develop policies aimed at protecting these workers from health risks. Such policies should include awareness programs and training for workers on how to handle hazardous materials.
Regional Significance
These results hold particular significance for the Arab region, where many countries suffer from a lack of awareness regarding health risks in workplace environments. Arab nations could benefit from this study to develop similar preventive programs to protect workers in the health sector.
In conclusion, prioritizing the prevention of health risks in the workplace should be a focus for all countries, especially in sensitive sectors like health and social care. Enhancing awareness and developing effective strategies can contribute to reducing health risks and improving the quality of life for workers in this field.