article · International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health
Tanzania reports 50,000 cancer cases each year, with projections suggesting this figure will double by 2030. Workplace exposure to hazardous substances presents a potential risk, yet data on occupational carcinogens in sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce. An investigation assessed chemical records from two national regulatory bodies to identify carcinogenic agents used in local industry and agriculture. Among 2,907 industrial chemicals reviewed, five percent contained carcinogenic substances. The cement manufacturing sector recorded the highest concentration, with carcinogens present in roughly 14 percent of its chemicals. Formaldehyde emerged as the most prevalent Group 1 carcinogen, appearing across 45 percent of the surveyed industries. In the agricultural sector, two percent of 1,855 evaluated pesticides were identified as carcinogens. These findings demonstrate notable occupational exposure risks across several sectors, highlighting an urgent need for targeted workplace safety interventions and stronger regulatory oversight.
Cancer incidence is rising rapidly in developing nations, yet hazardous chemical exposures in workplaces often go unmonitored. By identifying the specific carcinogens present in manufacturing and farming supplies, public health bodies and regulators can pinpoint high-risk sectors such as cement production. This evidence allows authorities and employers to target safety standards, minimise hazardous exposures, and better protect industrial and agricultural workforces.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as the study is a descriptive assessment of chemical registry data rather than a commercial product or technology.
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Introduction: In Tanzania, there are 50,000 cancer cases reported annually, and this number is projected to double by 2030. Workplace exposure to carcinogens may be a contributing factor to cancer risk. However, there is limited knowledge about the presence and use of carcinogenic chemicals at workplaces in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to describe the presence of carcinogens in chemical agents used in industry and agriculture sectors in Tanzania. Methods: Data about chemicals used in industries and agriculture in Tanzania were extracted from the databases of two government regulatory authorities: the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticide Authority (TPHPA). The chemicals were evaluated based on the presence of carcinogens in groups 1, 2A, 2B and 3 according to the classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Results: A total of 2907 chemicals were assessed from the industries. Five percent of the chemicals were carcinogens. The cement industry had the highest proportion of chemicals containing carcinogens, accounting for approximately 14%. Formaldehyde was the most frequently occurring Group 1 carcinogen, present in 45% of the industries studied. Additionally, out of the 1855 pesticides assessed, 2% were found to contain carcinogens. Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of carcinogens in chemicals within industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides in Tanzania. It indicates that workers employed in these workplaces could potentially be at risk of carcinogen exposure, which necessitates the implementation of regulatory measures.
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DOI: 10.3126/ijosh.v15i2.69022
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