Over 5,000 people die annually in Romania due to occupational cancer

Over 5,000 people die in Romania every year due to occupational cancer, whereas this number amounts to 100,000 at European level. The direct costs of exposure to carcinogens at work throughout Europe are estimated at EUR 2.4 billion per year, according to data from Romania’s Labor Inspection authority. “Cancer is considered the main cause of work-related deaths in the EU,” according to a press release issued yesterday by the Labor Inspection. Occupational cancer accounts for 53% of the deaths generated by work-related accidents and occupational disease together. In Romania, some 50,000 people die of cancer every year, and 10% of these cases are related to occupational cancer. In this regard, the Labor Inspectorate will start controls at the employers using carcinogens or chemical mixtures that cause the disease. These substances include asbestos, benzene, vinyl chloride, nickel, wood powder, products of petroleum and coal, and glass fiber. editor@romania-insider.com