ANALYSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL CARCINOGENIC HAZARDS TO THE HEALTH OF WORKERS IN THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2786-9067-2025-29-10Keywords:
footwear production, working conditions, occupational exposure, carcinogen, target-or-gans, prophylaxisAbstract
Occupational cancer, associated with working conditions, arises due to the impact of carcinogenic agents present in the work environment, even after the termination of professional activity. About 20% of all cancer types are linked to risk factors present in workplaces. The aim of this study was to analyze scientific publications regarding occupational carcinogenic risks to the health of workers in footwear manufacturing enterprises. Materials and Methods: The search was conducted in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases using relevant keywords. The search period covered the years 2008–2024.Results. It was found that the work environment in footwear manufacturing enterprises is characterized by the presence of several types of carcinogenic agents, namely organic solvents, formaldehyde, organic dust (leather, wood), dyes used for leather processing, and others. Occupational exposure to these pollutants, whether isolated or combined, has a proven association with cancer pathology. However, establishing a reliable cause-and-effect relationship requires considering such variables as the duration and intensity of exposure to risk factors. The most probable sites of malignant tumors in target organs among footwear industry workers were the hematopoietic system, bladder, and nasal cavity. Atypical types of cancer included thyroid and breast cancer, particularly among female workers who were exposed to organic solvents, which are attributed to workplace exposure to carcinogenic agents. Isolated cases of oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers, caused by contact with leather and wood dust, lack the statistical evidence necessary for reliable associations.Conclusions. A consistent strategy for assessing the burden of occupational cancer in the footwear industry should include systematic monitoring of carcinogenic hazards to determine the scale of the problem and to develop preventive measures aimed at reducing cancer risks to workers’ health. Enhanced collaboration between occupational health physicians, cancer researchers, industrial hygienists, and employers would be beneficial for conducting and evaluating informative studies.
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Про затвердження Гігієнічного нормативу «Перелік речовин, продуктів, виробничих процесів, побутових та природних факторів, канцерогенних для людини» : наказ МОЗ № 1054 від 20.06.2022 р. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0910-22#Text.
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