Working outside in the sun is said to be responsible for one in every three deaths from nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to a joint report by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
As per the report, nonmelanoma skin cancer “refers to a group of cancers that develop in the upper layers of the skin. The two main subtypes of this cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.”
The frightening research paper was issued on Wednesday (November 8), setting out data that demonstrates how serious the problem is. According to the report, an estimated 28% of the global working-age population was exposed to solar UV radiation while working outdoors in 2019.
It includes an unfathomably enormous proportion of the global population—almost 1.6 billion people aged 15 and up.
Worse, the research claims that approximately 19,000 people from 183 countries died from nonmelanoma skin cancer in 2019. More than half of these fatalities, or about 65 percent, were male.
There is an urgent need to avert deaths
While the research emphasized the importance of unprotected exposure while working outdoors, it also urged governments and employers to take action to address the acute need for preventive measures.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Unprotected exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation at work is a major cause of occupational skin cancer. But there are effective solutions to protect workers from the sun’s harmful rays and prevent their deadly effects.”
Furthermore, ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo stated that mortality can be greatly reduced if appropriate and cost-effective procedures are followed.
“It is urgent that governments, employers, and workers work together to reduce the occupational risk of UV exposure. This can save thousands of lives every year,” he said.
What’s more, this exposure has now been recognized as the third-highest work-related risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide. Between 2000 and 2019, deaths attributed to skin cancer from workplace sun exposure swelled. It jumped by 88 percent, from 10,088 deaths in 2000 to 18,960 deaths in 2019, as per the report.
What are the proposed measures?
With the support of their joint report, the WHO and ILO are pushing for strong action to safeguard workers from the hazards of sunlight exposure when working outdoors.
Key policy recommendations include “providing shade, adjusting working hours away from the solar noon period, education and training, and equipping workers with sunscreen and personal protective clothing.” According to the paper, when the UV index hits level three or above, more precautions must be taken. The index is a measurement of UV radiation from the sun.