Cancer in the Built Environment: Identifying and Controlling Occupational Cancer Risks

It is important to be aware of the causes of occupational cancer in the construction industry, and to take proactive measures to eliminate or severely reduce the risks.

Construction cancer risks remain one of the most significant long-term health challenges faced across the built environment, and this extends beyond construction into infrastructure, defence (including naval operations) and industrial sectors. Understanding the causes of occupational cancer, and how exposure occurs in real-world conditions, is essential for improving safety outcomes and protecting workers over the long term.

It accounts for over 40% of occupational cancer deaths and cancer registrations. Occupational cancer is caused by significant exposure to carcinogens in the workplace, often over a long period of time. Carcinogens can be found in solid substances, dusts, vapours, or gases. Without effective controls, workers' health can be at risk from breathing them in, absorbing them through the skin or accidentally ingesting the hazards.

A ‘Carcinogen’ is a substance that causes cancer. Carcinogens are identified in EH40/2005 with the letters ‘Carc’.

It often takes more than 10 years, but it could be up to 40 or 50 years, between initial exposure to carcinogens and the first signs of poor health. This delayed onset is one of the reasons occupational cancer is frequently underestimated, as the connection between cause and effect is not always immediately visible.

Construction workers are at greater risk of developing cancer from their work than any other industry group. It is estimated that past exposure to hazards in the construction sector annually causes over 5,000 occupational cancer cases and 3,700 deaths.

While these figures are most closely associated with construction, the underlying risks are shared across similar environments. Infrastructure projects, such as tunnelling or rail works, present comparable exposure conditions, as do industrial facilities and naval shipyards, where confined spaces and specialised materials can increase the intensity of exposure.

The most significant cause of construction related cancers is asbestos, silica dust, paint vapours, welding fumes, diesel engine exhaust emissions, lead and wood dust. These hazards are often generated through routine tasks, making consistent control measures essential.

Welding Fume

Fume is a complex mixture of metallic oxides, silicates and fluorides. It is created when a metal is heated above its boiling point and its vapours condense into fine particles. This toxic mixture should not be breathed in, as it is extremely hazardous to health.

Exposure to all welding fume, including mild steel welding, can cause lung cancer and kidney cancer. This applies not only in obvious fabrication environments but also in less visible scenarios such as maintenance work, repair tasks or confined welding operations.

In practice, welding fume exposure can vary significantly depending on the environment in which it is generated. In open construction sites, dispersion may reduce concentrations, although exposure can still exceed safe limits over time. In infrastructure projects such as rail tunnels or underground works, and in naval shipbuilding where welding often takes place inside enclosed compartments, fumes can accumulate quickly if not effectively controlled. Industrial facilities may also involve continuous welding processes, increasing cumulative exposure.

Employers must prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to welding fumes under COSHH Regulations, highlighting the importance of both engineering controls and safe working practices. Read more about COSHH Regulations in our dedicated whitepaper >

Silica Dust

Silica is the second biggest killer of construction workers. Silica dust can be found in bricks, tiles, concrete and some plastic composites. When these materials are cut, sanded, drilled etc, silica is released as a fine dust known as respirable crystalline silica or silica dust.

Silica dust is harmful when inhaled into the lungs, and because it is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, a person could breathe it in without knowing. This inability to detect exposure visually is one of the key challenges in managing silica risks effectively.

Silica dust is generated in a wide range of activities. In construction, this includes cutting and drilling materials such as concrete and brick. In infrastructure projects, excavation and tunnelling activities can release large quantities of fine particulate matter. In naval environments, maintenance and surface preparation of vessels may involve grinding and abrasive processes. In industrial settings, silica exposure can occur during the handling or processing of raw materials.

These risks are often heightened in confined or poorly ventilated environments, where dust concentrations can build rapidly. As a result, even short-term tasks can contribute to significant long-term exposure if not properly controlled. Read more about Silica Dust, the risks and best practice in our dedicated article >

Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions (DEEEs)

DEEEs are a mix of gases, vapours, liquid aerosols and particulate substances. Diesel fumes are produced when working with diesel operated heavy vehicles, or when working in tunnels or on construction sites with diesel operated stationary power sources such as generators.

Significant exposure to harmful diesel fumes over many years is known to increase the risk of developing lung cancer. According to the HSE, DEEEs cause an estimated 625 deaths annually, and up to 750,000 workers in the UK are exposed to dangerous levels of diesel exhaust fumes each year.

Workers exposed to diesel emissions are up to 40% more likely to develop lung cancer. This highlights the importance of controlling emissions at source and ensuring adequate ventilation, particularly in enclosed or semi-enclosed environments.

Exposure to diesel exhaust fumes is not limited to construction. Infrastructure projects involving tunnelling or underground works frequently rely on diesel-powered equipment. Naval dockyards and vessel operations also involve significant diesel engine use, often in environments where airflow is restricted. Industrial sites, particularly those involving logistics or heavy machinery, may also expose workers to exhaust emissions on a regular basis.

Learn more about DEEEs and controlling them in our toolbox talk >

Asbestos

Asbestos is the biggest cause of death amongst construction workers. It is a mineral that can cause deadly cancers when inhaled, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The importation, supply and use of all forms of asbestos is now banned in the UK. However, many buildings, and some plant and equipment, still have asbestos-containing materials. If asbestos is disturbed or damaged, asbestos fibres are released into the air, creating a serious danger to the health of people who might breathe them in.

The risk from asbestos is particularly relevant in refurbishment and demolition work, where older materials may be disturbed. Similar risks may be present in ageing infrastructure, legacy industrial facilities, and older naval vessels that were constructed using materials that contained asbestos.

Because of the severity of the risk, asbestos removal must only be undertaken by a licensed contractor, and strict procedures must be followed to prevent exposure.

Wood Dust

When wood products are worked on, dust and formaldehyde are released into the air. Hardwoods, particularly beech and oak, are most associated with dust risks, as well as composite materials such as MDF and plywood.

These materials may also present additional risks due to bonding agents and formaldehyde content. Prolonged exposure and inhalation of formaldehyde may cause cancer of the nasal cavity, sinuses and nasopharynx.

Wood dust exposure is common in construction activities such as joinery and carpentry, but it is also present in industrial manufacturing processes and in specialist environments such as naval interior fit-outs. The risk is often underestimated, particularly when working with composite materials.

Learn more about wood dust in our dedicate whitepaper on the topic >

Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

Construction workers and workers in any industry that work outside for prolonged periods of time are at a significantly higher risk of developing and dying from skin cancer due to working outdoors. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a well-recognised hazard, particularly for those spending long periods outside.

HSE research estimates that there were over 800 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer linked to construction workers. Outdoor workers are at a 60% greater risk of skin cancer.

Protective measures such as applying SPF sun cream, taking breaks in shaded areas, and monitoring skin health are essential.

Paint Vapours

Most paints and coatings have some level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are released into the air as gases from solids or liquids that contain organic chemicals.

The higher the VOC content, the greater the risk. Certain tasks, such as spraying, produce very high levels of exposure. Painting and coating work has been linked to a significant number of cancer deaths.

Exposure to paint vapours is common across construction finishing work, infrastructure maintenance, naval vessel coating, and industrial processes. In enclosed environments, vapours can quickly accumulate, further increasing the risk.

Lead Dust

Lead can be found in construction workplaces, commonly in older buildings, paint and pipework, as well as in specialist materials such as roof flashings.

You can absorb lead into your body when you breathe in lead dust or fume, and uncontrolled exposure can cause cancer. Regulations require that workers are protected from the risks associated with lead exposure. Learn more in our lead dust whitepaper >

Protecting Yourself and Others

Dust extraction, also known sometimes as local exhaust ventilation (LEV), is the type of engineering control you might consider for managing hazards such as wood and silica dust.

LEV systems work by capturing airborne contaminants at source and removing them from the working environment. Effective systems typically include appropriate filtration, such as HEPA filters, which can remove up to 99.99% of particles at very small sizes.

Alongside extraction systems, monitoring equipment can be used to continuously check airborne conditions and alert users when unsafe levels are present. This is particularly important in environments where conditions can change quickly.

The hierarchy of controls remains a fundamental principle. If hazards cannot be eliminated or substituted, suitable engineering controls should be implemented. PPE can be used as an additional measure but should not be relied upon as the sole form of protection.

Exhaust fume control solutions are also essential for protecting workers from diesel emissions and maintaining good air quality. Systems designed to extract fumes and filter emissions can significantly reduce exposure levels.

It is also important to avoid practices that increase risk. For example, sweeping dust can make particles airborne, increasing the chance of inhalation. Instead, industrial vacuum systems should be used to safely remove settled dust.

LEV systems can also be used to capture fumes at source and extract contaminants away from workers. In many cases, general ventilation may be required alongside localised extraction to ensure contaminants are effectively diluted and dispersed.

Before starting work in buildings that may contain asbestos, appropriate assessments must be carried out to identify risks and determine the correct control measures. Workers must be properly trained and informed.

Conclusion

Occupational cancer remains one of the most serious long-term health risks in construction and related industries. Its causes are varied, often invisible, and typically linked to prolonged exposure over time.

By understanding where these risks arise - from welding fumes and silica dust to diesel emissions and UV exposure - and by implementing appropriate control measures, it is possible to significantly reduce the likelihood of harm.

Across construction, infrastructure, naval defence and industrial environments, the principles remain consistent. Awareness, assessment and control are all critical in protecting workers now and in the future.

RVT Group offers free hazard control site assessments by its trained experts anywhere in the UK to help identify these risks and recommend effective control solutions tailored to each environment.

References:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Cancer and Construction: Key Points.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Cancer and Construction: Skin Cancers.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Control of Exposure to Silica Dust (INDG463).

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions – Operational Circular OC 292/2.

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Diesel Fumes: Preventing Occupational Cancer.

Human Focus. Silica Dust Exposure Limits in the UK.

SKCIN – The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity. UV Radiation: The Neglected Occupational Hazard.