Behavioural risk factors plays an important role in the worldwide cancer burden and 44% of global cancer deaths are preventable
Exposure to ionising occupational radiation affects over 24 million workers globally, stated the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in a recent press release.
The release corresponds with the ongoing International Conference on Workplace Radiation Protection. The conference, which started September 5, 2022, in Geneva, will conclude September 9. The conference will cover the cancer risks associated with occupational exposure and many other labour-related topics.
Ionising radiation is a form of energy emitted by atoms and travels as electromagnetic waves such as gamma or X-rays or particles — neutrons, beta or alpha.
“The conference presents an opportunity for employers, workers and other stakeholders involved in the implementation, management and development of occupational radiation protection systems to share and discuss experiences,” said Shengli Niu, senior specialist in occupational health at the ILO programme on safety.
The IAEA had published a technical article titled Assessment of Prospective Cancer Risks from Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation to assist managerial decisions linked to limiting exposure among workers in 2021. It offers detailed instructions on evaluating the cancer risks of those exposed to radiation while working.
Artificial radiation sources are extensively used in the manufacturing and service sectors, research institutions and nuclear power plants.
As a result, employees in various professions, including radiologists, radiographers and other workers in the medical and nuclear industries, may be exposed to artificial radiation.
Many workers, including underground miners and aircrew, are also exposed to radiation from natural sources.
Ionising radiation can cause harmful tissue reactions or deterministic effects at high exposure levels. These tissue reactions only happen at specific threshold dosages. As the tissue dose grows, so does the reaction’s severity. Cell death or dysfunction is the primary mechanism of tissue responses.
Labourers who are exposed to ionising radiation at work run the risk of acquiring health issues because of this exposure.
“Work-related deaths and injuries including those caused by exposure to radiation, take a particularly heavy toll, especially in developing countries, where national systems for occupational safety and health are not well established,” said Vic Van Vuuren, deputy-director general for policy officer in charge.
Low doses of ionising radiation induce molecular changes in the brain and can contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s, stated a 2016 study by the University of Southern Denmark. It added that even relatively low radiation exposures, like those from a few CT scans, may be enough to cause molecular changes linked to cognitive impairment.
The global burden of cancer caused by behavioural, environmental, occupational and metabolic risk factors was recently calculated by a Lancet study.
Behavioural risk factors plays an important role in the worldwide cancer burden and 44 per cent of global cancer deaths are preventable, the study noted. Occupational safety plays an important role in preventing such deaths.
In order to safeguard patients, employees and the general public from the health risks associated with radiation exposure, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also devised a radiation programme. This programme, which focuses on public health elements of radiation protection, includes actions for assessing, managing and communicating radiation risk.
The ILO conference will review international standards and recommendations on occupational radiation protection and progress over the past twenty years. It will also identify priority actions for an improved global occupational radiation protection system.
The exchange of knowledge and experiences on enhancing radiation protection will involve more than 500 professionals from around the globe.
The convention, ratified by 50 countries, is the only international legal instrument that addresses the protection of workers against radiation.
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Ionising radiation can cause harmful tissue reactions or deterministic effects at high exposure levels. Photo: ILO.png)
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