Recommendations for reducing environmental and workplace exposure to carcinogens

The Canadian Cancer Society is committed to protecting Canadians from cancer-causing substances in the environment. One way we do this is through our active participation as a member of the National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures.

This committee is part of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control Primary Prevention Action Group. As part of our work with this committee, the Society helped develop recommendations about the prevention of cancers associated with environmental and work-related toxins.

Many of the committee’s recommendations are directly relevant to Community Right to Know. Other recommendations urge action to lower or eliminate exposure to cancer-causing substances in the workplace and in the environment.

Key recommendations

Exposure from our consumer products

Consumer product labelling in Canada needs to be stronger. Starting November 16, 2006, cosmetics manufacturers were required to include all ingredients on a product label. However, there is no requirement for cosmetics manufacturers to clearly indicate if the product contains a cancer-causing substance.

The Canadian Cancer Society believes that all consumer and household products must be clearly labelled if they contain carcinogens.

National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures recommendations

The committee recommends that a standard warning – an easily recognizable symbol – be adopted so that people can easily see whether or not products contain cancer-causing substances.
Where possible, manufacturers should be required to replace hazardous ingredients with less harmful substances.

Exposure in our communities

We all have a right to know if we are being exposed to cancer-causing substances in our communities.

The Canadian Cancer Society strongly supports Community Right to Know. Read our position statement.

National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures recommendations:

Environmental community profiles should be developed to allow us to easily find out the substances we are being exposed to in our communities, as well as the level and source of that exposure.
The committee urges municipalities and community groups to work together to eliminate pollutants from their environments.
Community bylaws preventing pollution should be passed.
Pollution prevention programs should be required for all facilities emitting carcinogens.

Exposure at work

Everyone has a right to know what they are being exposed to in the workplace.

The Canadian Cancer Society believes that Canadian workers should not be exposed to carcinogens in the workplace. Read our position statement.

National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures recommendations:

Employers and organizations should monitor and collect accurate data about the way they use and produce carcinogens.
A national program should be developed to audit reports and ensure that they are correct.
Companies using or producing carcinogens should be required to participate in pollution prevention programs.
Exposure limits in workplaces across Canada should be standardized and lowered as much as possible.
Where possible, manufacturers should be required to substitute safer materials for carcinogens.

Read the full report

The Canadian Cancer Society will continue to advocate for the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control and to participate in its activities. This is one key way to help protect Canadians from cancer-causing substances in the environment. We support the recommendations in the National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures report.

Last modified on: 13 December 2009