The most significant source of exposure is exhaust from combustion engines; especially in confined spaces. However, carbon black is also used as an ingredient in composite materials and as such is handled in huge quantities. This study sought associations between exposure to carbon black and bladder cancer in long shore men.
Evidence from:
R Puntoni et al. The Lancet. August (2001) Vol. 358 #9281 p 562.
A study of a proposed association between occupational exposure to carbon black and, bladder cancer. Carbon black has been assessed by IARC as being a possible human carcinogen.
2286 long shore men (Dockers) employed between 1933 and 1980 were the subjects of this study. Of these 596 spent a significant time carrying paper sacks full of carbon black. The work was very dusty.
Cases were identified using the local cancer registry for a period between 1986 and 1996.
Occupational hygienists assessed exposure as having been: 858 low, 709 moderate and 534 high for members of this population.
208 cancers in the cohort, were recorded in the study period. In detail: