A comparative assessment of cancer-related mortality among workers employed at the various stages of pyrometallurgical production of copper

Abstract

The authors present comparative evaluation of influence caused by complex of carcinogenic work conditions of main stages of copper pyrometallic production on cancer-related mortality of the workers. Findings are that raw copper enrichment, blister copper recovery through reverberative furnace melting and f re refining of blister copper are carcinogenic danger for the workers. Malignancies frequency in the workers appeared to directly depend on occupational exposure to arsenic. The results of the workers’ cancer-related mortality correspond to data of carcinogenic risks evaluation at all stages of metallurgic production of copper. Given the study results, reasonable suggestion is to include raw copper enrichment into official list of occupational processes with carcinogenic danger.