Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens and Occupational Epidemiological Cancer Studies in Iran: A Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Occupational cancers can be prevented by eliminating hazardous substances or by reducing workers’ exposures. Characterizing the extent of exposure to carcinogens in workplaces and industries is a crucial first step to exposure control. Iran is one of the most industrialized countries in the Middle East, yet lacks an overview of the extent of exposure to carcinogens and comprehensive risk management. This review provides an overview of studies conducted to date and demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to inform occupational research and exposure control in Iran and beyond. ABSTRACT: Introduction: The extent of exposure to occupational carcinogens is not well characterized in Iran, and little is known about the burden of occupational cancer. Objectives: This study aimed to describe exposure to occupational carcinogens and occupational epidemiology studies in Iran. Methods: Relevant studies up to January 2021 in Iran were identified through three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Results: Forty-nine publications from 2009 to 2020 (one cohort, 11 case-control, 34 exposure monitoring studies, and three cancer burden studies) were included. The exposure monitoring studies were conducted mainly in the petroleum industry, metal industry, manufacturing of electronics, manufacturing of plastics, construction industry, and service industry. A few of the case-control studies also reported increased risk of cancers in relation to work in those industries. Conclusions: Occupational cancer epidemiology in Iran is at an early stage. Both epidemiological and exposure monitoring studies are generally limited in size to provide robust evidence of occupational cancer risks. A coherent strategy to estimate the occupational cancer burden in Iran should start with conducting epidemiological studies along with systematic monitoring of occupational carcinogens for use in hazard control and research.