Researchers claim up to 2000 deaths every year are due to carcinogens

As many as 2000 people a year in Scotland are dying in a "forgotten epidemic" of cancers triggered by toxins at work, new research reveals.

Experts from Stirling University have uncovered the disturbing death toll from cancer-causing substances to which workers are exposed. The researchers say there has been a "scandalous lack of action" to reduce the risks which, they claim, amounts to "criminal neglect".

The research was unveiled in Clydebank yesterday on Workers' Memorial Day, marked by trades unions in up to 100 countries to "remember the dead and fight for the living".

Rory O'Neill, a senior researcher with Stirling University's occupational and environmental health group, pointed out that almost 100,000 substances were now used in the workplace. "More than one in five workers is exposed routinely to cancer-causing substances at work. Our analysis suggests at least 8% and possibly 16% of all cancers are the result of work factors, which would mean certainly 1000 and possibly 2000 preventable deaths in Scotland each year," he said.

The commonest substance to cause cancer deaths was asbestos, but other carcinogens include silica, metals, solvents, oil and wood dust, all widespread in Scottish industry. Worldwide, exposure to toxins at work could be responsible for more than 600,000 cancer deaths a year.

O'Neill, who is helping co-ordinate a global trade union "zero cancer" campaign, said: "The level of official complacency is staggering. The link to work is not recognised, prevention isn't on the agenda and victims get neither the early diagnosis essential to survival or justice."

He pointed out that most of the compounds to which workers were exposed had not been properly tested for safety. "Crossing your fingers and hoping amounts to criminal neglect by the authorities and employers," he claimed. "Employers are still attached to the use of cancer-causing substances at work, when safer materials or work methods could eliminate this risk entirely."

Professor Andrew Watterson, head of occupational health research at Stirling University, was also involved in the study.

He said: "Occupational diseases - particularly cancers - are Scotland's hidden killers, yet there's a scandalous lack of action by responsible agencies to inform the public and counter the killers."

He called for moves to prevent exposure to carcinogens at work, including tougher enforcement, health surveys and financial penalties on employers.

Workers' Memorial Day was backed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, which accused employers of being complacent. "We have to make sure the risks to workers are negated and they're given proper protection," said Ian Tasker, STUC spokesman for health and safety at work.