ORIGINAL PAPER
Carcinogenic and mutagenic agents in the workplace, Poland, 2011–2012
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Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera / Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Zakład Bezpieczeństwa Chemicznego / Department of Chemical Safety)
Corresponding author
Anna Pałaszewska-Tkacz
Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera,
Zakład Bezpieczeństwa Chemicznego, św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2015;66(1):29-38
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Background: The objective of the study was the analysis of structure of carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances and
dusts occurring in Polish enterprises, 2011–2012, including the number of exposed employees reported to the “Central register
of data on exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances, mixtures, agents or technological processes”,
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź. In the paper the aims, range and methodology of data collecting by the Central
Register are presented. Material and Methods: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data on occupational exposure
to carcinogenic substances and technological processes reported by employers were carried out. Results: In 2011–2012
approximately 2600 plants reported more than 300 carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances annually. The most common
occupational chemical carcinogens/mutagens were: benzene, one of the unspecified gasoline, chromium(VI) compounds,
asbestos, chromium(VI) trioxide, ethylene oxide and benzo[a]pyrene. The highest number of employees was exposed to particular
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Hardwood dust was the major occupational carcinogen listed in the technological
processes inventory with approximately 11 000 employees exposed in about 650 enterprises annually. Conclusions:
The amended legislation concerning occupational exposure to carcinogens has not significantly influenced the exposure structure
in Poland. Nevertheless it permited to determine the actual total number of the occupationally exposed to carcinogens.
Med Pr 2015;66(1):29–38