In its response to the UK Government’s Air Quality Plan, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called on the Government to support its campaign to reduce worker exposure to cancer-causing diesel particulates.
The plan, IOSH says, fails to address the cancer-causing elements of diesel exhaust emissions – microscopic soot particulate matter. Diesel exhaust risk to employees is a major focus of IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign to tackle causes of occupational cancer.
In Britain, it is estimated that more than 650 people die every year of lung or bladder cancer linked to exposure to diesel exhaust fumes at work, while around 800 new cases of cancer caused by diesel-exhaust-fumes exposure are registered each year.
The campaign has attracted the support of over 200 leading businesses, national and international organisations and government bodies. IOSH is now urging the UK Government to join them and help to offer solutions to businesses looking to reduce the impact of diesel particulates.
“While the Air Quality Plan’s proposals to tackle nitrogen dioxide exposure and encourage transport modernisation mark a step in the right direction, we’d like Government and local authorities to help businesses take action now,” said Shelley Frost, Executive Director – Policy at IOSH.
“Many employees work in close proximity to sources of diesel exhaust fumes, and IOSH has highlighted risks from particulates,” she added. “IOSH – through its No Time to Lose campaign – offers free resources that can help. By supporting the campaign, the UK Government can help us spread the message.”
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