Plastics industry exposes its workers to carcinogen

Workers are still being exposed to a workplace chemical that causes cancer, an HSE survey of the plastics industry has found.

The industrial chemical MbOCA has been known to be an occupational carcinogen for years; exposure can cause bladder cancer and other cancers. But researchers reported inadequate controls and personal protective equipment, poor training and unacceptable exposure levels.

Furthermore, “about 75% of company risk assessments were insufficient and unsuitable”. Although previous HSE site visits had “provided evidence of poor exposure control with the increased risks of ill health”, the problems had not been remedied. And poor housekeeping meant that the chemical was spread into other areas of the workplace, such as canteens.

Most of the companies visited were in breach of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. They were found to be providing “little or no information, instruction and training on the hazards associated with the handling of MbOCA ... or on the measures to control exposure.”

Based on the survey findings, the HSE estimates that about 300 workers in the UK are currently exposed to MbOCA, and at least 1,000 more could be incidentally exposed.