Almost every third death Carcinomas (skin cancers other than melanomas) are caused by exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation when working outdoorswarns a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The joint study also indicates that exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is third main occupational risk associated with cancer mortality.

In 2019 alone, 1.6 billion working-age people (over 15 years of age) were exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation at work, and almost 19 thousand people died from this skin cancer less aggressive than melanoma (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common).

Between 2000 and 2019, the number of skin cancer deaths linked to occupational exposure to sunlight nearly doubled, rising 88 percent, from 10,088 to 18,960.

Given these “alarming” data, WHO and ILO call for more measures to protect workers from hazardous jobs due to sun exposure to avoid worker deaths due to this type of cancer.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reminded that there are “effective solutions” to protect workers from harmful sun rays and prevent its deadly effects.

Among the recommendations presented, the ILO and WHO ask governments to “develop, implement and enforce” policies and regulations that provide more shade for workers, avoid midday shifts and provide workers with sunscreen and protective clothing.

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“Depending on where they live, workers have more or less protection. The good news is that many countries are already integrating this data into their monitoring systems,” said Maria Neira, director of the WHO Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health.

According to the report, l.The regions most affected by these carcinomas are Africa, the Americas, and the Eastern Asia-Pacific region.with a death rate of 0.4 to 0.5 per 100 thousand inhabitants, compared to the global average of 0.3 deaths.

WHO, ILO, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Environment recently launched a global app called SunSmart UV, which allows outdoor workers to assess their exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation.

This radiation is measured using the ultraviolet (UV) index, a scale in which a high level of exposure would be between 8 and 10: with a moderate index (between 3 and 5), the WHO and ILO already recommend taking protective measures. .

In addition to measures to reduce the risk of skin cancer, WHO and ILO also They are asking for more services and programs to identify early signs of this disease. It affects the most superficial layers of the skin and develops more slowly than melanoma.

(EFE)