Asbestos and Occupational Cancers
In the video, WorkSafe hosts Dr. Paul Demers from the University of Regina for a discussion on asbestos and occupational cancers. Dr. Paul Demers has profound knowledge on carcinogens as he is Canada’s leading expert on occupational disease and is internationally recognized for his expertise. He is also the director of the Occupational Cancer Research Center in Toronto and a leading scientist in screening and cancer control. The speaker argues that Canada has a sad legacy of asbestos due to the health effects from the past from exposure that have persisted over decades. Despite the efforts to prevent and avert the health impacts of these carcinogenic substances, current research shows that many Canadians are still regularly exposed to asbestos at the workplace. Although Dr. Demers appreciates the government’s policies, such as the recent ban on asbestos, he claims that the law is not efficient and might take too long to achieve favorable outcomes. The presenter approached the topic in a systematic manner by starting with the background and history of asbestos in Canada followed by health impacts, and preventive strategies.
Interestingly, exposure to asbestos in Canada dates back to the early 20th century. Dr. Demers refers to an advert by the Johns-Manville Company in 1916 promoting the use of asbestos (SCSA Online, 2019a). At that time, asbestos was one of the many building materials highly utilized in Canada, especially in Quebec and Ontario, where there were large mines. The speaker recounts that even in the early twentieth century, the health risks of asbestos had been realized after suspicion of causing lung cancer. Still, Canada continued to import large quantities of asbestos to supplement what was domestically produced until 2018, when the ban on the products was enacted. Most of the imported asbestos comes in the form of friction materials such as brake pads. Dr. Demers says the ban is effective on new uses of asbestos, but the tremendous amount of asbestos exists in buildings, workplaces, and public buildings. Precisely, large quantities of the compound were available in school buildings since the mid-1970s; thus, it is continuing to be an issue for an extended period.
Asbestos is undeniably a carcinogenic substance linked with several types of cancers. However, mesothelioma is the obvious type caused by asbestos, with 85% of the cases affected resulting from workplace exposure (SCSA Online, 2019b). Dr. Demers asserts that mesothelioma is the worst cancer in terms of survival, with most patients hardly living beyond one year after diagnosis. Thus, asbestos-related cancer is not only dangerous health-wise but also causes financial strain. The speaker claims that approximately two billion dollars cost is incurred each year in Canada due to mesothelioma. Also, new cases are rising from five hundred to almost six hundred cases yearly. Thus, given the perilous effects of asbestos, effective prevention methods are needed. Some countries, such as Sweden, have adopted an absolute ban on asbestos and related substances. Hence, Canada needs to find working solutions as well since the recently enacted ban does not comprehensively address the issue. Dr. Demers recommends some measures that fit the Canadian model, such as developing a long-term strategy to remove all asbestos from the environment.
Overall, the discussion is educative, thought-provoking, and interesting as it gives details on the persistent asbestos pandemic in Canada. It is apparent that the issue cannot be solved easily as it requires a combination of effective and long-term strategies. With the cases of asbestos-related cancer rising and the vast amounts of asbestos existing in buildings, water pipes, and workplaces, there is a dire need for stringent policies to remove all asbestos from the environment.
Presentation on Carcinogens
Dr. Paul Demers gave a second talk on carcinogens that explained in detail the various cancer risk factors. The speaker began by providing the projected impacts of cancers, stating that approximately two hundred and twenty thousand and four hundred people would be diagnosed with cancer in the next year (meaning 2019). Eighty-two thousand and one hundred of the diagnosed would succumb to the disease (SCSA Online, 2019b). However, the most important information in the introductory part of the talk is the explanation of the three organizations responsible for cancer classification schemes. The three institutions described include the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the US National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Among the three, the most significant organization for the discussion is IARC. While describing the various carcinogens, the speaker based the ideas on the Burden of Occupational Cancer Project he had previously conducted.
In the discussion, the speaker explained several categories of carcinogens. The most remarkable one is one of the most dangerous workplace threats, asbestos. According to Dr. Demers, approximately 152 000 people are still regularly exposed to asbestos annually. Worse still, asbestos causes 1,900 lung cancers, 430 mesotheliomas, 45 laryngeal cancers, and 15 ovarian cancers each year (SCSA Online, 2019b). Although the Canadian government banned asbestos in 2018, it is still available in the environment in substantial quantities. The most surprising fact about asbestos is the absurd economic burden. Apart from the health implications and fatalities, asbestos-related cancer contributes to 1.9 billion dollars for lung cancer and 480 million dollars cost for mesotheliomas every year. However, the cost for prevention can be significantly lower, which is the reason Dr. Demers advocates for preventive strategies. Other carcinogenic factors are solar ultraviolet radiation exposure, diesel engine exhaust exposure, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and, least expectedly, shift work at night.
Although the ban on asbestos is actively in operation in Canada, Dr. Demers believes it is not enough as there is more that is needed. The regulation only prohibits new uses of asbestos but offers little impact on the asbestos which is already in the environment. Therefore, Dr. Demers recommends some preventive strategies for dealing with various carcinogens. For asbestos, the speaker suggests the creation of a public registry for all public buildings and workplaces containing asbestos. Secondly, the establishment of an inter-ministerial working group to deal with occupational asbestos exposure. On solar ultraviolet radiation exposure, the researcher believes the requirement for all workplaces with employees operating outdoors to develop a comprehensive all-component sun safety program is vital. Its elements should include assessment, sun protection control measures, and sun control protection policies. For the prevention of diesel engine exhaust, Dr. Demers recommends having a defined occupational exposure limit and replacing old on-road and off-road diesel engines. Overall, the speakers suggest specific policies and strategies that address the particular carcinogen. The recommendations are research-informed to ensure the provision of favorable outcomes.
In short, Dr. Demers provides detailed information about the various carcinogenic substances and risk factors. It is apparent that thousands of people are still exposed to carcinogens despite the growing awareness. Mostly, the construction workers are at high risk of the different types of cancer. While a significant number of cancers are preventable, there are many gaps in studies to warrant the adoption of suitable precautions. Thus, comprehensive research on the various cancers and their suspected causes is necessary.
References
SCSA Online. (2019a). Dr. Paul Demers presentation on asbestos and occupational cancers . YouTube.
SCSA Online. (2019b). Dr. Paul Demers U of R presentation on carcinogens. YouTube.