The trade unionist's view of occurpational cancer

The Transport and General Workers' Union (UK) has an active programme devoted to monitoring the health of its 1.8 million members. Files on members who died of bladder cancer after exposure to beta-naphthylamine go back to the late 1920's. From the same period came data on members suffering from asbestosis which included same cases of lung cancer before the industrial cause of the disease was recognized. These and other more recent examples including Nonox S and vinyl chloride amply justify the need for setting up registers of all workers who are at risk from industrial exposure. The scientfic community has a responsibility for communicating data regarding hazards both to employers and employees who can then ensure that all who have been exposed can be notified and screened. The trade unions have a part to play in ensuring that industry accepts conditions of greater control under the new regulations in the United Kingdom. There must be a continuing tripartite discussion between industrial management, trade unions and the responsible governement official.