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Table 2 Worker categories to be discussed for inclusion in a targeted bladder cancer screening programme

From: Medical follow-up for workers exposed to bladder carcinogens: the French evidence-based and pragmatic statement

Targeted occupational group (main references)

Position

Level of risk after analysis of the literature*

Period of exposure in France

Rubber industry workers (level of proof 1) [14–27]

- rubber production workers, using 4-aminobiphenyl and/or β-naphtylamine and its salts and/or MBOCA

VERY HIGH

Generally before 1989

Before 1950 for subjects exclusively exposed to β-naphtylamine and its salts

Principle exposing positions in rubber and tyre manufacturing include weighing and mixing, finishing and storage, baking or vulcanisation exposing workers to PAHs and nitrosamines.

Before 1970 for subjects exclusively exposed to 4-aminobiphenyl

However: harmful residual carcinogenic substances (PAHs and nitrosamines in particular) remained in use in the rubber industry beyond the 1980s.

Dye manufacturing workers (level of proof 1) [28–46]

- workers in the production of benzidine and/or benzidine-derived and/or auramine-derived and/or ortho-toluidine-derived and/or magenta-derived and/or o-dianisidine-derived and/or o-tolidine-derived and/or 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine-derived and/or 2-methoxy 5 methylaniline-derived colouring agents

VERY HIGH

Generally before 1989

Before 1980 for subjects exclusively exposed to benzidine

Before 1990 for subjects exclusively exposed to ortho-toluidine

- subjects working in production workshops where the aforementioned products are used

Principle exposing activities include: preparation and weighing activities; pigment, colouring agent, paint and varnish manufacturing; quality control, sampling, laboratory and cleaning positions.

Textile industry (dyeing) workers (level of proof 3 to 4) [47–50]

- yarn dyed fabric workers

HIGH

Before 1970

However: harmful residual carcinogenic substances (PAHs and nitrosamines in particular) remained in use in the textile dyeing industry beyond the 1970s.

Leather and tanning industry workers (level of proof 3) [51–56]

- leather shoe and/or boot manufacturing workers

HIGH

Before 1990

- leather shoe and/or boot repair workers

- tanning, leather goods, leather processing workers

Targeted occupational group (main references)

Position

Level of risk after analysis of the literature*

Period of exposure

Plastics industry workers, if exposed to 4,4’-methylene bis (chloroaniline) (MBOCA) [57–69]

- workers using epoxy and polyurethane resin hardening agents

HIGH

Since the 1950s and still in use today

- subjects working in workshops where epoxy and polyurethane resin hardening agents are used

Workers involved in the production of 4-chloro-ortho-toluidine-based pesticides (level of proof 2) [70]

- chlordimeform production workers

HIGH

Before 1986

- subjects working in workshops where chlordimeform has been produced

Workers involved in aluminium production (level of proof 1) [71–89]

aluminium production workers having used the Søderberg process

HIGH

Before 1989

Textile industry (weaving) workers (level of proof 2 to 3) [47–50]

- workers weaving fibre into fabric

MODERATE

Before 2003

Hairdressers and assimilated professions (level of proof 2) [90–98]

- hairdressers

MODERATE

Before 1980

- barbers

- beauticians

Workers involved in the plastics industry in general [57–69]

-production agents (after detailed assessment of specific exposure to carcinogenic agents, PAHs in particular)

MODERATE

To the present day

Chemical and pharmaceutical industry workers [99–107]

-production agents (after detailed assessment of specific exposure to carcinogenic agents)

MODERATE

To the present day

Printing industry workers [108–111]

- ink manufacturing

MODERATE

Before 1970

- printers

Targeted occupational group (main references)

Position

Level of risk after analysis of the literature*

Period of exposure

Iron and/or steel foundry workers [112–120]

- iron and/or steel production workers (casting and/or knockout in particular)

MODERATE

To the present day

Workers exposed to coal combustion soot [95, 121]

- chimney sweeps

MODERATE

To the present day

- coal fire boiler room workers and those having manufactured coal nuts

Before 2007

Workers involved in coal gas production [122–124]

- coal gas production workers

MODERATE

Before 1970

Roof waterproofing work [125–128]

- roofers

MODERATE

To the present day

- waterproofing workers

Workers exposed to diesel engine exhaust fumes [129–132]

- professional diesel engine vehicle drivers: (heavy-goods vehicle drivers, public transport drivers, taxi drivers, work site vehicle drivers, diesel locomotive drivers)

MODERATE

To the present day

- motor vehicle mechanics

- automobile control technicians (MOT/inspection)

- 2-wheeled vehicle delivery drivers

- police officers

- tollbooth attendants

Metalworkers or fitters exposed to cutting oils and fluids [133–140]

- metal machining workers

MODERATE

To the present day

- tool-dressers

- adjusters (tasks: machining, cutting, welding, degreasing, maintenance/trimming)

Painters [141–149]

- painters

MODERATE

Before 1970 (after 1980 in the case of use of epoxy or polyurethane anti-corrosion paints)

Transport vehicle repair and construction [95, 139, 150, 151]

- tool-dressers

MODERATE

To the present day

- adjusters

Dry cleaning workers [152–159]

dry cleaning workers

MODERATE

To the present day

Wine growers [160]

- use of arsenic-based pesticides

MODERATE

Before 2001

  1. * VERY HIGH relative risk for relative risks (RR), Odds ratios (OR) or Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMR) observed in the scientific literature strictly above 5; HIGH relative risk for RR, OR or SMR strictly above 2 and equal to or below 5 and MODERATE relative risk for RR, OR or SMR strictly above 1 and equal to or below 2.