From the Kidney Foundation: Meet your mighty kidneys this Kidney Health Month

March is Kidney Health Month in Canada. If you haven’t yet considered the way your mighty kidneys impact your overall health, now is the time. A first step to disease management and prevention is education. Learn more about your kidneys and explore our fact sheets and infographics.

Workers at Risk: Chemical exposures

Those exposed to X and Gamma radiation, and Trichloroethylene (TCE) are most at risk for contracting cancer through workplace exposure. It is estimated that approximately 7,600 Canadian workers are exposed to trichloroethylene. This includes those working in metal degreasing, fabricated metal product manufacturing, industrial painters, and more. Others at risk for different substances are firefighters, welders, print shop workers, those exposed to gasoline and diesel exhaust and other chemical compounds such as arsenic and cadmium. See the website for more info.

Carex Canada

Renal toxins, also a factor, include heavy metals, particularly cadmium (CAREX profile on cadmium link, CAREX cadmium occupational exposures),lead (CAREX profile on lead link, CAREX lead occupational exposures). Some pesticides are renal toxins, too. There is some evidence of shift work, long working hours, and high temperature may also be renal toxins (here).

Kidney Cancer Canada

Kidney Cancer Canada is a national community of patients, caregivers and health professionals who work to provide every Canadian touched by kidney cancer with support, education and advocacy for their care pathways and treatment options.

More Occupational Exposures: Miners, construction workers and more

Exposure in Canadian Mines

It has been known that exposure to radiation and certain chemicals can lead to kidney cancer. This paper by OHCOW Occupational Hygienists, Kidney Cancer and Exposures in Ontario Mines, discusses research on kidney cancer as it specifically relates to Ontario miners.

Silica Exposure

Exposure to silica has become a major concern, particularly in the construction industry.  Many construction substances such as concrete, gravel and more that are ground, cut or treated result in silica dust that has severe health effects when inhaled. This dust can be imperceptible to people when they are exposed to it but over time can result in severe illnesses and cancer to organs of the body including kidneys.

See our information page on Silica.

If you or someone you know works in an industry where they might be inhaling silica dust, it is imperative that they utilize the FREE Silica Control Tool.

See our Silica Control Tool page.

Other Airborne Contaminants

See our Work Related Cancer page for more information about hazards and workplace controls. As well as radiation and silica, Renal (kidney) diseases can be caused by exposures to other metals, such as cadmium, lead, beryllium,  and benzene.

Another field that has been identified for high risk for cancer is welding. The Occupational Cancer Research Centre has done research on welding and cancer risk. As well, the Australian Cancer Council has information about occupational hazards for renal cancer caused by welding, and controls for those carcinogenic substances that can be implemented at work.