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BLOG: Lung Cancer Awareness Month

The Dangers Of Lung Cancer

Figures from 2020 show that there were around 2.2 million cases of Lung Cancer. The alarming statistic is that 13% of these cases are caused by workplace exposures, a number that could be easily reduced with the correct precautions and Personal Protective Equipment in place. Industries where the chance of developing Lung Cancer is most common include; Construction, Manufacturing, Cleaning and in the Automotive Industry where the inhilation of dust, asbestos, exhaust fumes and other dangerous fumes is at its greatest. It is important to also remeber that within these industries it can also be the products you use that emit the harmful fumes such as Aerosols and Spray Adhesives. Without the correct PPE these can cause serious damage to your lungs.

One of the many problems with Lung Cancer is that it does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until it's spread throughout the lungs or from other parts of the body. This means the outlook for the condition is not as positive as other types of cancer. Many people develop these noticable symptoms later on in life after a career in the Construction or Textiles industry for example. Throughout their career they may not have noticed any symptoms resulting in many people to belive that they do not require any Respiratory Protection Equipment. However, their lack of protection will result in the harmful fumes now stored in their body attacking their lungs later on in life.

Symotoms include a shortness of breath and an accumiliation of fluid in the lungs making it harder for the affected lung to expand when you inhale.

The video shows some of the important facts about Lung cancer you should know.

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Workplace Precautions

As mentioned earlier, people working in certain industries/jobs face a higher risk of contracting Lung Cancer than others.

In the UK, there are strict labour laws that aim to limit exposure to harmful chemicals and other hazards at work. Employers now have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their employees. Not only do employers now have to provide PPE for their employees, but they must ensure that it is correctly fitting (FIT Testing). The video to the left from 3M helps further expalin the importance of FIT Testing.

At FineCal, we now offer the Moldex 0103 Bitrex Face Fit Testing Kit. The Approved Codes Of Practice supporting the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) CAR and CLAW now state that masks must be tested to fit before their use. By having tightly corrected fitting masks, this limits volume of harmful substance inhaled by the worker, reducing their chance of developing Lung Cancer.

It is important to distinguish the difference between FIT Testing and FIT Checking. The HSE state that "If a risk assessment indicates that the job requires a worker to wear a FFP3 or FFP2 face mask for example, the employer is required to then carry out a fit test to make certain that the mask fits properly and will provide the necessary protection to the employee. Once completed, the worker should then carry out a fit check themselves each time they put their mask back on."

At the bottom of this page is a useful poster from 3M outlining the difference between FIT Testing and FIT Checking.

Shown below is our Moldex FIT Testing Kit

The Requirements and Products

The HSE state that "Respiratory Protective Equipment must be adequate and suitable to ensure the wearer is protected." This means:

Adequate – It is right for the hazard and reduces exposure to the level required to protect the wearer's health.
Suitable – It is right for the wearer, task and environment, such that the wearer can work freely and without additional risks due to the RPE.

The HSE go on further to say that "In order to select the correct RPE, you must understand:"

The hazardous substance and the amount in the air (exposure);
The form of the substance in the air (eg gas, particle, vapour);
The type of work being carried out;
Any specific wearer requirements, such as other PPE or a need for spectacles.

At FineCal we understand and embrace the importance of making sure you get the right RPE. Thats why we only stock products from leading brands such as 3M and Moldex in our range of Personal Protection and specialist Respiratory Protection.

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