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Press release: Injured workers have higher rates of opioid poisonings than the general population

Results from a study by OCRC and the Institute for Work and Health.

2023-2024 Annual Report Released!

We are pleased to share our annual report, highlighting progress and accomplishments from 2023-2024.  The theme of this report is…

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

In celebration of International Women’s Day this March 8th, OCRC would like to spotlight some of our research that focuses…

Surveillance Alert Release: Flames and Risks – Firefighting Causes Cancer

OCRC’s Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS) investigated cancer risk among Ontario firefighters and found that Ontario firefighters in the ODSS…

Webinar: Radon in Ontario Workplaces

Join us on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm for a free webinar on radon in Ontario workplaces.

Report Release: Firefighter Cancer Research Priorities Workshop

This report outlines major knowledge gaps and priorities for firefighter cancer research identified by participants of the Firefighter Cancer Research Priorities Workshop.

Opioids and Work Study highlighted in CIM Magazine

The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s CIM Magazine highlighted results from the Opioid-Related Harms Among Ontario Workers study…

New Initiative: The Exposure Data System

OCRC is working with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to establish the Exposure Data…

Report Release: Advancing Workplace Exposure Surveillance in Canada

Advancing Workplace Exposure Surveillance in Canada presents the proceedings of a workshop hosted by OCRC in March 2023, attended by approximately…

IARC Monograph 132: Occupational Exposure as a Firefighter

Pentachlorophenol, an insecticide and wood preservative, was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

Opioids Disproportionately Affect Certain Sectors: Study

An article by Lindsay Kelly, published in SooToday.com and Sudbury.com, highlights findings from the ‘Opioid-related Harms Among Ontario Workers‘ study….

2023 DAY OF MOURNING

On April 28th, we remember and honour people who have lost their lives, been injured or suffer from illness due to their work.

OCRC Report: Chronic respiratory disease report

Highlighting important respiratory diseases identified in Ontario workers through the ODSS

2022 DAY OF MOURNING

On April 28th, we remember and honour people who have lost their lives, been injured or suffer from illness due to their work.

Ontario investing over $6 million to prevent work-related cancers

Ontario is investing over $6 million to support research led by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) to identify workplace-related…

2021 DAY OF MOURNING
2021 DAY OF MOURNING

The National Day of Mourning, held on April 28th in Canada, is a day to remember those who have been killed or suffered an injury or illness due to work.

How can we better protect paramedics from COVID-19?
How can we better protect paramedics from COVID-19?

Our new study will examine COVID-19 occupational risks, infection and vaccination among paramedics in Ontario and BC, and investigate how long antibodies last.

Website launch: Ontario Occupational Disease Statistics
Website launch: Ontario Occupational Disease Statistics

Identify worker groups at risk from hazardous substances in the workplace, and exposures of concern in Ontario.

OCRC Report: Using scientific evidence and principles to help determine the work-relatedness of cancer
OCRC Report: Using scientific evidence and principles to help determine the work-relatedness of cancer

The report, commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, identifies 11 recommendations to improve recognition and adjudication of occupational cancer claims.

Report release: Investigation of McIntyre Powder Exposure and Neurological Outcomes in the Mining Master File Cohort
Report release: Investigation of McIntyre Powder Exposure and Neurological Outcomes in the Mining Master File Cohort

This report, funded by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, examines the risk of neurological disease among Ontario miners who were exposed to McIntyre Powder.

2020 National Day of Mourning
2020 National Day of Mourning

On April 28th, we remember and honour those who have been killed or suffered an injury or illness due to work.

IARC releases the World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention
IARC releases the World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention

Cancer is now the most common cause of death. However, many cancer cases can be prevented, and better diagnosis and…

Report: Awareness of asbestos hazards in schools, asbestos management plans and training among Ontario school custodial workers
Report: Awareness of asbestos hazards in schools, asbestos management plans and training among Ontario school custodial workers

This report summarizes the findings from an evaluation of custodial workers’ awareness of asbestos management in schools.

Report Release: Burden of Occupational Cancer in Canada
Report Release: Burden of Occupational Cancer in Canada

The report presents estimates of occupational exposure and the associated burden of cancer in Canada, as well as exposure reduction strategies and policy recommendations.

2019 Day of Mourning
2019 Day of Mourning

April 28th is the National Day of Mourning, held to honour those who have been killed or suffered an injury or illness due to work.

OCRC launches the Occupational Disease Surveillance Program website
OCRC launches the Occupational Disease Surveillance Program website

Our new website, www.odsp-ocrc.ca, focuses on surveillance of occupational diseases and workplace exposures.

Dutch Committee on Occupational Safety releases report on diesel engine exhaust
Dutch Committee on Occupational Safety releases report on diesel engine exhaust

The Committee has determined that there is no safe exposure concentration below which no adverse health effects occur.

World Cancer Day 2019
World Cancer Day 2019

The goal of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness, mobilize action, and inspire change to reduce the impact of cancer worldwide. Occupational exposures such as diesel exhaust remain under-recognized causes of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Ontario names world renowned expert to lead review on occupational cancers
Ontario names world renowned expert to lead review on occupational cancers

News release: The Ontario government has announced that it is launching a review of how occupational cancer is compensated in…

Ontario launching review of work-related cancers to ensure workers receive the right care
Ontario launching review of work-related cancers to ensure workers receive the right care

News Release: Ontario is launching a review of how work-related cancers are evaluated for the purposes of compensation. The goal…

Infographics: Controlling Diesel Particulate Matter in Workplaces
Infographics: Controlling Diesel Particulate Matter in Workplaces

Infographics for diesel particulate matter in underground mining and on-road applications are available.

Report Release: Burden of Occupational Cancer in Ontario
Report Release: Burden of Occupational Cancer in Ontario

A report titled Burden of Occupational Cancer in Ontario: Major Workplace Carcinogens and Prevention of Exposure was released on October 4, 2017. This report focuses on the most common carcinogens found in Ontario workplaces and their contribution to cancer.

The economic burden of lung cancer and mesothelioma due to occupational and para-occupational asbestos exposure
The economic burden of lung cancer and mesothelioma due to occupational and para-occupational asbestos exposure

Work-related asbestos exposure resulted in approximately $2.35 billion in costs for newly diagnosed lung cancer and mesothelioma cases in 2011.

National Day of Mourning – April 28th, 2017
National Day of Mourning – April 28th, 2017

The National Day of Mourning honours workers who have lost their lives, been injured or suffered illness as a result of their work.

Government of Canada to ban asbestos
Government of Canada to ban asbestos

On December 15, 2016, the Government of Canada announced that it will move forward to ban asbestos and all asbestos-containing products by 2018.

IARC Monograph 117: Carcinogenicity of pentachlorophenol and some related compounds
IARC Monograph 117: Carcinogenicity of pentachlorophenol and some related compounds

Pentachlorophenol, an insecticide and wood preservative, was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

OCRC designated a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre
OCRC designated a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) as a Collaborating Centre for Occupational…

Coffee doesn’t cause cancer, but these things might, according to the WHO
Coffee doesn’t cause cancer, but these things might, according to the WHO

The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently downgraded the carcinogenicity of coffee to Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity in humans).

Sun safety at work on the farm
Sun safety at work on the farm

Sun Awareness Week was June 6th to 12th. Click here to read an article on the Sun Safety at Work Canada project.

Canada ‘moving forward’ on asbestos ban, Justin Trudeau says
Canada ‘moving forward’ on asbestos ban, Justin Trudeau says

On May 10, 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the government has made a commitment to move forward on an asbestos ban in Canada.

Momentum grows for a national ban on asbestos
Momentum grows for a national ban on asbestos

On April 28th, the Day of Mourning, many groups across the country called on the government to introduce a total ban on asbestos in Canada.

National Day of Mourning 2016
National Day of Mourning 2016

Each year on April 28th, Canadians honour the thousands of workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illnesses as a result of occupational incidents and exposures.

Asbestos banned in new construction, renovations of federal buildings
Asbestos banned in new construction, renovations of federal buildings

Public Services and Procurement Canada has banned the use of asbestos in construction and renovation of federal buildings under its jurisdiction.

Pressure mounts on Ottawa to join wide ban on asbestos
Pressure mounts on Ottawa to join wide ban on asbestos

Article by Tavia Grant, The Globe and Mail

IARC Monograph Volume 115: Some Industrial Chemicals
IARC Monograph Volume 115: Some Industrial Chemicals

Seven industrial chemicals were evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in February 2016.

Cancer causing chemicals prompt province-wide testing of nail salons
Cancer causing chemicals prompt province-wide testing of nail salons

CBC News reports that Manitoba will begin testing nail salons for formaldehyde and other hazardous chemicals.

Health Canada revises its position on the health risks of asbestos
Health Canada revises its position on the health risks of asbestos

An article in the Globe and Mail highlights the changes to Health Canada’s position on asbestos.

IARC evaluates the carcinogenicity of lindane, DDT, and 2,4-D
IARC evaluates the carcinogenicity of lindane, DDT, and 2,4-D

Lindane was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. The evaluation of these three pesticides will be published in Volume 113 of the IARC Monographs.

IARC evaluates the carcinogenicity of five organophosphate pesticides
IARC evaluates the carcinogenicity of five organophosphate pesticides

Glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, has been classified as Group 2A – probably carcinogenic to humans.

In the News: Asbestos revealed as Canada’s top cause of workplace death
In the News: Asbestos revealed as Canada’s top cause of workplace death

The Globe and Mail has published an article showing that asbestos exposure is the single largest cause of compensated workplace death claims.

Radon in homes, schools, and workplaces: CELA finds legal protections lacking
Radon in homes, schools, and workplaces: CELA finds legal protections lacking

The Canadian Environmental Law Association concludes that Canadians need better legal protection from radon gas, a known carcinogen.

IARC Monograph 111: Some nanomaterials and some fibres
IARC Monograph 111: Some nanomaterials and some fibres

IARC recently evaluated the carcinogenicity of fluoro-edenite, silicon carbide fibres and whiskers, and carbon nanotubes.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Read a blog post by Dr. Paul Demers about workplace exposures that can cause lung cancer.

IARC announces two upcoming meetings on the carcinogenicity of certain pesticides
IARC announces two upcoming meetings on the carcinogenicity of certain pesticides

The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) Monograph Program evaluates the carcinogenicity of various agents to humans. IARC has…

Staying safe in the sun
Staying safe in the sun

Dr. Thomas Tenkate of Ryerson University, and Dr. Desre Kramer of OCRC teamed up to write a blog post on sun safety for Cancer Care Ontario’s internal website.

IARC Monographs Volume 110: evaluation of five chemicals
IARC Monographs Volume 110: evaluation of five chemicals

The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) Monograph Progam evaluates substances, agents, and exposure circumstances on their carcinogenicity to…

No Safe Use
No Safe Use

The health impact of asbestos mining in Canada is highlighted in two recent media stories.

2014 National Day of Mourning
2014 National Day of Mourning

On Monday, April 28, 2014, the National Day of Mourning commemorated workers who have been killed, injured, or fallen sick…

IARC classifies outdoor air pollution as a human carcinogen
IARC classifies outdoor air pollution as a human carcinogen

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized agency of the World Health Organization, has classified outdoor air…

Building capacity: IDRC grant awarded for international partnership
Building capacity: IDRC grant awarded for international partnership

The Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) is a collaborator on a new project applying Canadian expertise in occupational exposure surveillance…

October is Healthy Workplace Month
October is Healthy Workplace Month

October is Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month. Each week features different aspects of workplace health, including safety, supportive culture, healthy bodies,…

Skin Cancer Prevention Act passed
Skin Cancer Prevention Act passed

On October 9, 2013, Bill 30 was passed as the Skin Cancer Prevention Act in the Ontario Legislature. It will…

Leading cause of work-related deaths? Occupational cancer
Leading cause of work-related deaths? Occupational cancer

OHS Insider – September 5, 2013 It’s easy to assume that the leading cause of work-related deaths must be something…

Michael Sherar, President and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario, discusses the OCRC
Michael Sherar, President and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario, discusses the OCRC

On May 6, 2013, Michael Sherar, the President and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario, highlighted the research being done at…

Dr. Paul Demers awarded the Jeffrey S. Lee Lectureship
Dr. Paul Demers awarded the Jeffrey S. Lee Lectureship

The Foundation for Occupational Health & Safety (FOHS) awarded the Jeffrey S. Lee Lectureship for 2013 to Dr. Paul Demers….

April 28th, 2013 – National Day of Mourning and World Day for Safety and Health at Work
April 28th, 2013 – National Day of Mourning and World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The International Labour Organization (ILO) holds the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28 to promote…

Landmark study on bike safety by OCRC affiliated researcher, Prof. Anne Harris
Landmark study on bike safety by OCRC affiliated researcher, Prof. Anne Harris

Dr. Anne Harris, Assistant Professor at the School of Occupational and Public Health at Ryerson University, recently published a study…

OCRC receives funding from the Canadian Cancer Society to study the burden of occupational cancer
OCRC receives funding from the Canadian Cancer Society to study the burden of occupational cancer

The Occupational Cancer Research Centre will lead a Canada-wide study investigating the human and economic impact of workplace exposure to…

Asbestos products still being imported to Ontario
Asbestos products still being imported to Ontario

Marco Chown Oved Toronto Star – Monday September 24, 2012   Despite recent announcements in Ottawa and Quebec that suggest…

IARC classifies diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans
IARC classifies diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified diesel engine exhaust as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1) on June…

Study examines breast cancer link to flame retardants
Study examines breast cancer link to flame retardants

Andrew Vowles atGuelph – Thursday April 26, 2012 Probing links between breast cancer and a group of pollutants is the…

National Day of Mourning 2012
National Day of Mourning 2012

The Day of Mourning was established by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 to coincide with the passing of the…

CBC News highlights the risks of occupational cancer
CBC News highlights the risks of occupational cancer

CBC News has published a series of articles on occupational cancer. These articles discuss the risks of exposure to workplace…