A Hazards magazine factsheet warned that many cancers are caused by preventable workplace exposures. It noted a wide range of substances, processes, biological agents, environments and work practices were linked to occupational cancer. Hazards also noted that UK workers may be exposed unawares. Labels on a silica based cavity fill compound used by members of the construction union UCATT warned it “may cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation.” When the label fell off it revealed a US label underneath. This had the additional warning: “IARC has concluded that crystalline silica may cause cancer based on animal data with limited evidence in humans.” Silica is now an IARC recognised cause of lung cancer in humans.

Work causes cancer, Hazards, number 54, January-March 1996.