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Mortality, Cancer Incidence, and Workplace Exposures Among Ontario Construction Workers
| Principal investigator(s): | Murray M. Finkelstein (McMaster University) |
| Co-investigator(s): | Dave Verma (McMaster University); Dru Sahai (Construction Safety Association of Ontario); Joe DeWit (Asbestos Workers Local 95); Evelyn Stefov (Ontario Ministry of Labour) |
| Institution: | McMaster University |
Results
Our research and findings indicated that Ontario’s construction workers are occupationally exposed during specific tasks to chemical substances at levels that are potentially hazardous. The most prolific contaminants are construction dust, including wood dust, concrete dust, diesel exhaust, and welding fumes. Solvents continue to be widely used in construction. Asbestos and lead are relevant mainly from a retrospective point of view (i.e., past exposures) with regards to new construction. Cross-contamination caused by industrial sources of exposures was not studied. Some construction workers may be exposed to contaminants unique to specific environments. It should be realized that our exposure study was limited in scope and as a result, our results should be viewed as preliminary rather than conclusive.
Conclusion
Construction workers are an important occupationally exposed group. Much work still remains to be done, and we are hopeful that our study’s results will direct future research initiatives in the industry. More accurate determination of occupational exposure estimates for high exposure tasks and cross contamination by industrial sources of exposure is needed. Future studies in this industry should also address the effectiveness of current training programs in occupational health hazards and personal protective equipment. Other types of exposures not measured during this study, including noise, vibration, ultraviolet radiation, thermal stress, and biological hazards need to be addressed.
Objectives
Our objectives were to visit a variety of construction sites in Ontario in order to identify factors that affect occupational exposure of construction workers. This study addressed the types and levels of toxic substances to which Ontario’s construction workers are exposed. Research in other jurisdictions has shown that construction workers are exposed to a variety of toxic substances including diesel exhaust, silica, lead, man-made mineral fibers, solvents, and asbestos.
Method
During the study, visits were made to a variety of construction sites in Ontario in order to identify factors that affect occupational exposure of construction workers and to conduct a range-finding exercise for common occupational contaminants by taking personal and area samples during different construction tasks. We hoped to provide industry stakeholders with sufficient information on hazardous exposures and recommended work practice changes.
Publications
Kurtz, Lawrence A., Verma, Dave K., and Sahai, Dru (2003), "Coal tar pitch and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposures in expansion joint-making operations on a construction site: a case study." Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 18:545-552.
Verma, Dave K., Kurtz, Lawrence A., Sahai, Dru, Finkelstein, Murray M. (2003), "Current chemical exposures among Ontario construction workers." Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 18:1031-1047.
Verma, D.K.. Sahai, D., Kurtz, L.A., and Finkelstein, M.M., (2004): Current Manmade Mineral Fibres (MMMF) Exposures Among Ontario Construction Workers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Vol. 1, pp. 306-318.
Finkelstein, Murray M., Verma, Dave K., Sahai, Dru, and Stefov, Evelyn (2004), "Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality Rates Among Heavy Equipment Operators." American Journal of Industrial Medicine 46:16-22.
Finkelstein, M.M., and Verma, D.K. (2004), "A cohort study of mortality among Ontario pipe trades workers." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 61:736-742.
Finkelstein, Murray M., and Verma, Dave K., (2005), "Mortality among Ontario Members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers." American Journal of Industrial Medicine 47:4-9. |
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