Cancer Causes

Asbestos is the name used for a group of naturally occurring minerals. They have resistance to high temperatures and fire and make effective insulators and so were popular in building products.

When wood products are worked on, dust and formaldehyde are released into the air. Prolonged exposure and inhalation of these products may cause cancer of the nasal cavity, sinuses and nasopharynx, as well as leukaemia.

Diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is created by burning diesel fuels. It contains a mixture of gases and soot that cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) may stick to. These can easily travel deep into the lungs when you breathe them in. Chemicals in DEE increase your risk of developing long-term health problems, including lung cancer and possibly bladder cancer.

Solar UVR (ultraviolet radiation) is invisible energy produced by the sun. It's made up of three wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC.

Silica dust is harmful when inhaled into your lungs. As it is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, you can be breathing it in without knowing.

There are many different welding techniques; but most fall into the categories of electric arc welding or oxy-fuel welding.

Improving your health and reducing your risk

Biological, physical and chemical risk factors

It is not uncommon for more than one member of a family to have cancer

Reduce the harms caused by smoking