The Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) has published a perspective expressing its concern with the ‘little progress’ being made on Australia’s regulatory approach to workplace carcinogen exposure.

 

While the MJA accepts that workplace related cancer is difficult to properly calculate, it estimates that up to 5000 cancers per year are caused by occupational exposures.

 

“In Australia, there is limited systematic work aimed at identifying occupational carcinogens, informing users about carcinogenic risks, and reducing the use of chemicals in industry. Internationally, there are several such initiatives that could be considered for the Australian context,” the MJA article found.

 

The article identifies best practice in maintaining a source of regularly updated information in providing up to date information on safe levels of exposure to certain workplace related carcinogens.

 

“Strategic action aimed at reducing the burden of occupational cancer in Australia needs to be concentrated around three aspects: raising the profile of occupational cancer; interventions to reduce exposure to carcinogens, supported by legislative processes; and improving the support for patients with occupation-related cancer,” the article finds.

 

The MJA has called for the formation of effective processes to review international decisions in the field with an aim to apply them domestically.

 

The full article can be found here