Occupational cancer is the subject of a June 2012 special supplement to the British Cancer Journal, and includes eleven informative papers. Methodological approaches are discussed along with specific cancers and study limitations. Cancer sites include mesothelioma, sinonasal, lung, nasopharynx, breast, non-melanoma skin, oesophagus, soft tissue, and stomach. Carcinogens include asbestos, mineral oils, solar radiation, silica, diesel engine exhaust, coal tars and pitches, dioxins, environmental tobacco smoke, tetrachloroethylene and strong inorganic mists, and shift work. Lesley Rushton’s morbidity and mortality figure prepared for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) feature prominently, although these have been criticised, notably by Hazards magazine, for missing out entire groups of carcinogens and under-estimating the impact of others. HSE in turn has faced criticism for its inaction on some of the major killers identified in the Rushton research, particularly shiftwork (linked to breast cancer), diesel exhaust fumes (lung, bladder and possibly other cancers) and respirable crystalline silica (lung cancer). Some industry bodies have by contrast claimed the estimates over-state the toll.

Occupational Cancer in Britain, British Journal of Cancer, volume 107, issue S1 (S1-S108), Guest editors Lesley Rushton and Gareth Evans, supplement published 19 June 2012. Related editorial by Kurt Straif. The Telegraph.