Are younger workers more at risk? a study on age differences in occupational exposure to carcinogens

The aim of this study is to describe the levels of occupational exposure to the most common cancer-causing agents in the Italian industrial context, with a particular focus on age differences to identify high-risk groups of young workers.

Data on exposure to carcinogens were extracted from the national occupational exposures database (SIREP), covering exposure measurements collected between 1996 and 2024. Thirteen carcinogenic agents with over 10,000 recorded measurements were analysed. Exposure intensity was categorised as low, medium, or high according to European regulatory standards. Multinomial logistic and linear mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for gender and calendar period, were used to assess the association between age and exposure level.

A total of 457,291 exposure measurements were selected for the main carcinogens registered in SIREP. Exposed workers (159,582) were only in a small proportion women (9%) and mostly aged between 20 and 44 years in both genders (63% in women, 57% in men). Young people (i.e., under 30) constituted a considerable portion of the total exposed workers (25%) and compared to older workers (≥ 30) had 17.6% higher exposure levels overall, 18.4% in men and 11.2% in women. Age differences in exposure persisted mainly across industries and job categories, but also by gender and nationality.

This study underscores the necessity for targeted preventive strategies, including tailored training programmes, enhanced supervision, and rigorous enforcement of safety protocols for young workers. Improved monitoring and age-specific interventions are essential to reduce occupational cancer risks and safeguard the health of the younger workforce.