IN THIS ISSUE

Spotlight on occupational sun exposure – New exposure estimates and an app-based study
Community profiles – Yukon launches a First Nations Cancer Strategy
Recent publications – Sun safety among young workers, workplace sun exposure and melanoma, and Canadians’ time-activity patterns
Communications updates – Recent stories from Carcinogens in the News
Partner updates – BC’s Cancer Prevention Indicator Report and a new community for research professionals

SPOTLIGHT ON OCCUPATIONAL SUN EXPOSURE

New occupational exposure estimates for solar radiation

We are pleased to announce that we have updated our occupational exposure estimates for solar ultraviolet radiation. These 2021 estimates show that approximately 1,634,000 Canadians are exposed to sun at work. This is a slight decrease (1%) from our previous 2016 estimate, reflecting changes in the Canadian labour force primarily due to decreases in the number of farm workers and increases in the number of construction workers.

Construction, farming, and services to buildings and dwellings are among the largest industrial groups exposed to sun at work, while construction labourers, farmers and farm managers, and landscapers and ground maintenance labourers are the most exposed occupations. The new occupational exposure estimates are available on the solar radiation profile here.

Interested in developing your own sun safety resources to help keep workers protected on the job? Our evidence-based sun safety messages for outdoor workers, including construction workers, along with our suite of illustrations of workers in various jobs that experience high sun exposure, are free to use and available on our website here.

Recruiting for an app-based sun safety study

We are currently recruiting farmers and agricultural workers in Saskatchewan for a new sun safety study! The study, led by Dr. Cheryl Peters, brings together a team from CAREX Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, and the Agricultural Health and Safety Network to assess whether smartphone-based messaging can be an effective tool for helping outdoor workers learn about sun safety and reduce sun exposure at work. We are pleased to welcome Tess Kelly to the project team in Saskatchewan, where she works alongside co-investigator Dr. Niels Koehncke at the University of Saskatchewan.

This study carries special meaning for our team. The Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Action Grant was originally awarded and led by our colleague and dear friend, Dr. Thomas Tenkate, whose lifelong dedication to sun safety and the prevention of skin and eye-related health impacts from solar radiation exposure, particularly for outdoor workers, was truly pioneering in Canada. We are honoured to be able to continue this work in his memory.

More information on eligibility and participation in this study is available here.

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Yukon launches a First Nations Cancer Strategy

As a part of our ongoing commitment to Indigeneity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI), the “Community Profiles” section of our newsletter is devoted to uplifting and raising the profile of communities that may be at greater risk of exposure to carcinogens, or who have recently made progress in finding solutions to combat exposures.

In March 2026, Yukon launched their first ever First Nations Cancer Strategy. The strategy reflects years of dedicated collaboration between Yukon First Nation governments, Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon Hospital Corporation, Government of Yukon, Elders, and First Nations citizens with lived experience of cancer.

At its core, the strategy represents the people and communities that are impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Every action identified in the strategy is underpinned by the principles of self-determination, equitable access to care, and cultural safety defined by those receiving care. The strategy is intended to guide culturally appropriate service delivery, with a strong emphasis on cancer prevention and screening.

While the coordinated planning of the strategy has taken place over the last eight years, the need to address rates of cancer among First Nations people in the Yukon was brought to light through community workshops supported by the Council of Yukon First Nations almost twenty years ago. As Erin McQuaig, a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, explains, “these efforts represent a long overdue shift toward care that truly reflects the needs, strengths, and values of northern communities.”

Implementation of the strategy has already begun with the pilot Indigenous Cancer Patient Navigator Program. Future plans include tracking First Nations cancer rates within the Yukon Cancer Registry, providing cultural safety training for staff providing care, and planning to ensure long-term sustainability.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Sun safety practices among young workers, workplace sun exposure and melanoma risk, and Canadians’ time-activity patterns

Members of our team recently published journal articles on CAREX-related research, including:

• An assessment of sun safety knowledge and practices among young workers found that they have a moderate awareness but poor adherence to sun-safe practices at work.
• An investigation of occupational sun exposure and melanoma risk among Ontario workers concluded that workers with low-intermittent and high sun exposure at work had a higher risk of developing melanoma than indoor workers.
• An examination of environmental time-activity patterns among Canadians can be used to understand how long an individual spends in different environments (such as the home or workplace) and inform estimates of exposure to hazards such as radon.

A full list of our publications is available here.

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATES

Recent stories from our Carcinogens in the News digest

This month, we’re featuring three stories that appeared in Carcinogens in the News:

• The latest Canadian Cancer Statistics have been released, which provides 2026 projected estimates of incidence and mortality by sex and geographic region for 23 cancer types. Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada, with 254,100 new cancer cases and 87,900 cancer deaths projected for 2026. Lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers are expected to be the most diagnosed cancers.
• A new report from the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) shows long-term exposure to air pollution (PM2.5) raises the risk of developing cancer by 11% and of dying from cancer by 12%. Liver, colorectal, breast, and lung cancers were all strongly associated with exposure to air pollution.
• The Ontario government has launched an occupational exposure registry that allows workers to record and track exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. The secure, digital portal aims to help workers better understand their exposure risks, inform prevention efforts, and support medical assessments if symptoms arise.

You can subscribe to our monthly Carcinogens in the News digest here.

PARTNER UPDATES

BC’s Cancer Prevention Indicator Report and a new community for research professionals

The BC Cancer Prevention Indicator Report​, developed by BC Cancer and the BC Centre for Disease Control, looks at the most common risk factors for cancer and highlights actions that can help reduce cancer risk across the province. ​It includes an overview of 8 cancer risk factors, including solar radiation, environmental exposures (e.g. radon and outdoor air pollution), occupational exposures (e.g. asbestos and diesel engine exhaust), smoking, alcohol, and more. The report summarizes key data and indicators for each risk factor, and compiles evidence-based programs and policies that help reduce exposure at multiple levels of action, from individual behaviours to organizational programs and public policies.

Our Principal Investigator Dr. Cheryl Peters was a member of the report development team, and CAREX team members Lindsay Forsman-Phillips and Joanne Telfer supported this work through the BC Primary Cancer Prevention Committee. The Cancer Prevention Indicator Report is available here.

The Cancer Prevention Research Cluster (CPRC), led by Dr. Trevor Dummer and based at the University of British Columbia, is launching a group for research professionals involved in the planning and coordination of cancer research, including research analysts, methodologists, associates, project and program coordinators/managers, knowledge translation/mobilization staff, and other non‑faculty research professionals. This new community will provide opportunities for members to connect and collaborate with others working in cancer research and allow them to share tools, strategies, and best practices. If you are interested in joining, please complete the survey here.

Please note that the CAREX Canada e-Bulletin is now a bi-annual digest. For more regular communications from us, please subscribe to Carcinogens in the News, a monthly digest of media articles, government reports, and academic literature related to the carcinogens we’ve classified as important for surveillance in Canada.

IN THIS ISSUE

Community profiles – Indigenous leaders work to protect drinking water and environment from oil sands pollutants
CAREX news – New CCS grant awarded to estimate the burden of skin cancer from workplace sun exposure
Recent publications – Young workers’ perceptions on carcinogens, artificial light at night, and low-dose ionizing radiation
Partner updates – Evict Radon’s toenail study and newly released Canadian Cancer Statistics 

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Indigenous leaders work to protect drinking water and environment from oil sands pollutants

As a part of our ongoing commitment to Indigeneity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI), the “Community Profiles” section of our newsletter is devoted to uplifting and raising the profile of communities that may be at greater risk of exposure to carcinogens, or who have recently made progress in finding solutions to combat exposures.

Indigenous leaders in Alberta are still waiting on the federal government to introduce and pass legislation affirming that First Nations have a human right to clean drinking water, nearly eight months after the pledge was made by the government. This November, Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro and Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi called for a halt to the “treat and release” plan for the Alberta oil sands tailings ponds, citing concerns about the downstream impacts to surface water, groundwater and wildlife. They are urging both federal and provincial governments to pause treat and release plans until research into the technical feasibility of proposed mitigation measures are completed.

The Athabasca oil sands are a source of highly toxic pollutants that negatively impact human and environmental health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemical by-products from petroleum production and processing, have been found in sediments and snowpacks near oil sands operations. Exposure to these chemicals can occur via contaminated air, food, and water, and are linked to various adverse health effects in humans including lung and skin cancers.

In 2024, the federal government announced support for an investigation through the community-led Fort Chipewyan Health Study, which will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the oil sands on the health of nearby communities. However, this study has just begun and, according to a group of doctors and water rights experts, has not yet yielded the evidence required to support the release of the oil sands tailings ponds. Indigenous leaders representing nations in territories that overlap with the Athabasca oil sands deposits continue their work to ensure a safe environment through provincial steering committees, Crown-Indigenous working groups, and public calls-to-action.

CAREX NEWS

New CCS grant awarded to estimate the burden of skin cancer from workplace sun exposure

CAREX Canada researchers and collaborators, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Cheryl Peters, were recently awarded funding from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) to estimate the burden of occupational skin cancer from solar radiation exposure. Approximately 1.7 million Canadians are exposed to sun at work, and outdoor workers have a 2.5 to 3.5 times greater risk of skin cancer than indoor workers. With this support from the CCS Workplace Cancer Research Grant, the research team will improve the methods for counting occupational skin cancers, update the estimates of how many of these cancers are likely to be caused by workplace sun exposure, and calculate the current economic burden of occupational skin cancer from outdoor work. The results of this study will improve our understanding of workplace skin cancer in Canada and how it is estimated, as well as inform actions to reduce sun exposure at work.

Learn more about our project and the other CCS Workplace Cancer Research Grant recipients here.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Young workers’ perceptions on carcinogens, artificial light at night, and low-dose ionizing radiation

Members of our team recently published journal articles on CAREX-related research, including:

• An assessment of young workers’ perceptions about occupational carcinogens, which found that the ability to identify carcinogens was low and there were knowledge gaps about workplace hazards that indicate a need for improved training among young workers.
• An evaluation of artificial light at night measures with breast cancer risk, which suggests that both intensity and wavelength of light should be considered when assessing exposures.
• An investigation into low-dose ionizing radiation exposure and cancer incidence among Canadian nuclear power plant workers, which concludes that exposure at low doses increases the risk of prostate cancer and melanoma.

A full list of our publications is available here.

PARTNER UPDATES

Evict Radon National Study’s toenail study and newly released Canadian Cancer Statistics

The research team at the Evict Radon National Study recently released a pilot study showing how long-term radon exposure can be measured from radon decay products accumulated in human toenails. This indicator could help assess non-tobacco lung cancer risk and expand access to early lung cancer screening. As part of this work, their team is currently recruiting participants for two innovative research projects: the Radon Toenail Study and the Radon Disability Study. These studies explore how radon decay products can build up in the body over time and whether certain populations, such as people experiencing disabilities, may face greater risks. If you are interested in participating in these studies, fill out their eligibility survey here.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has released their 2025 Canadian Cancer Statistics publication, which provides projected estimates of new cancer cases and deaths by sex, age, and geographic region for over 20 cancer types. An estimated 254,800 new cancer cases are expected in 2025, with lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers accounting for approximately 48% of all cancers diagnosed this year. The report highlights the need for an increased focus on primary prevention efforts that minimize the risk for developing cancers, which includes reducing exposure to priority carcinogens like sun, radon, and air pollution. The report is available here.

Please note that the CAREX Canada e-Bulletin is now a bi-annual digest. For more regular communications from us, please subscribe to Carcinogens in the News, a monthly digest of media articles, government reports, and academic literature related to the carcinogens we’ve classified as important for surveillance in Canada.

IN THIS ISSUE

Spotlight on sun safety at work – New sun safety illustrations and messages for construction workers
Community profiles – Bill 5 threatens environmental protections and First Nations rights
Research updates – Combating misinformation with StopSCAM
Communications updates – Gasoline classified by IARC as known carcinogen
CAREX news – CAREX Canada is now on Blueskky

SPOTLIGHT ON SUN SAFETY AT WORK

New sun safety illustrations and messages for construction workers

In Canada, approximately 1.7 million workers are exposed to sun on the job, making it one of the country’s most prevalent workplace carcinogen exposures. As part of our efforts to help reduce these exposures and influence sun safety behaviours, we collaborated with key experts and stakeholders to develop a set of sun safety messages that are tailored for outdoor construction workers, who are at high risk of sun exposure. The messages, which are free to use and available on our website here, include sun safety facts, recommendations for skin, eye, and heat illness protection, and more.  

We also created a suite of illustrations of workers in various jobs that experience high sun exposure at work – including construction workers, farmers, and lifeguards – with appropriate and realistic sun protections. These illustrations were created to help raise awareness of occupational sun safety, mobilize sun safety messaging, and address a gap in the availability of Canadian-specific and inclusive sun safety imagery. They are also free to use with appropriate credit and are available on our website here.

In collaboration with the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA), we created two posters for workplaces using the sun safety messages for construction workers and new illustrations. The posters – one on personal protective equipment (PPE) and one on seeking shade – are available here and on the BCCSA sun safety resources webpage. Dr. Cheryl Peters recently presented at a BCCSA webinar on sun safety and heat stress, which can be viewed here.

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Bill 5 threatens environmental protections and First Nations rights

As a part of our ongoing commitment to Indigeneity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI), the “Community Profiles” section of our newsletter is devoted to uplifting and raising the profile of communities that may be at greater risk of exposure to carcinogens, or who have recently made progress in finding solutions to combat exposures.

This May, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 5) went through a second reading debate, and the legislation has now been referred to the Standing Committee on the Interior. A key component of this legislation is the ability to create Special Economic Zones, which will effectively exempt businesses and projects within those zones from provincial and municipal laws. A glaring omission in these law-free zones, according to multiple Chiefs and First Nations representatives, is the Government of Ontario’s commitment to work with First Nations and to engage in Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) on all industry developments in the province.

Centered in this proposed legislation is the large mineral-rich area dubbed the Ring of Fire, traditionally referred to as Kawana ‘bi ‘kag. This vast area in northern Ontario contains large quantities of chromite, copper, gold, nickel, platinum group elements, and zinc. Not only is this area economically significant, it is also situated within Treaty 9 territory near many First Nations.

In January, 15 of these nearby First Nations and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada finalized the terms of reference for proceeding with a co-led regional assessment, which would outline the environmental, health, social, and economic impacts of development in this area. Bill 5 and the Special Economic Zones, if enacted, could see the complete dissolution of this proposed impact assessment, bypassing Indigenous human rights, treaty rights, and environmental responsibility.

Indigenous Nations and groups fighting to have their voices heard are not only exercising their treaty right to co-govern alongside federal and provincial decision makers, but are also ensuring that their right to a clean environment is being upheld. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation stated recently: “We have fresh water, we have trees, we have the second-largest carbon sink in the world and we have minerals that are rich. But we’ve also learned some very painful lessons in the past that in order for us to meaningfully benefit from these resources, we need to do it right.”

In response to the backlash from many First Nations leaders over their failure to be consulted on the development of Bill 5, the Ontario government has proposed an amendment to include language that recognizes Indigenous and treaty rights in line with Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. By bringing forward this sweeping bill, many Indigenous leaders believe the government has already failed in their duty to consult and have called for the Bill to be thrown out, “so that they can be consulted from the start“.

RESEARCH UPDATES

Combating misinformation with StopSCAM

Members of the CAREX Canada team have launched StopSCAM (Stop the Spread of Cancer Misinformation), a research platform that explores how people find information about cancer and how false information spreads online. This research, which is sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), supports public health efforts to fight cancer misinformation and make online spaces safer for Canadians to find reliable cancer information. Team members recently presented on this work at a Café Scientifique event hosted by CCS and UBC’s Cancer Prevention Research Cluster, where they engaged in thoughtful discussions on addressing cancer misinformation and shared some results from a new national survey.

Learn more about their ongoing work on addressing cancer misinformation at stopscam.ubc.ca.

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE

Gasoline classified by IARC as known carcinogen

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently evaluated the carcinogenicity of automotive gasoline and has classified it as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) based on sufficient human evidence that it causes bladder cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia in adults.

Workers who may be exposed to gasoline vapours in Canada include service station attendants, gasoline tank truck drivers, mechanics, workers at bulk loading terminals and marine loading docks, refinery workers, and more. The general population can be exposed to gasoline vapours when refuelling automobiles and refuelling or using other gasoline-powered equipment, such as lawnmowers. Learn more about gasoline exposures in Canada here.

CAREX NEWS

CAREX Canada is now on Bluesky

We’ve joined Bluesky! Follow us here for news and information on exposures to occupational and environmental carcinogens, updates on our work, upcoming events, and more. Please share with your networks – we look forward to connecting with you there!

Don’t have Bluesky? You can also keep in touch with us on LinkedIn or by subscribing to our newsletters, including our monthly Carcinogens in the News digest.

Please note that the CAREX Canada e-Bulletin is now a bi-annual digest. For more regular communications from us, please subscribe to Carcinogens in the News, a monthly digest of media articles, government reports, and academic literature related to the carcinogens we’ve classified as important for surveillance in Canada.

IN THIS ISSUE

Spotlight on PFAS – New carcinogen profile and PFAS levels in Indigenous communities 
In Memoriam – Honouring Dr. Thomas Tenkate
Partner update – New Canada-wide survey on household radon exposure
Recent publications – New workers’ exposure to carcinogens and masking misinformation

SPOTLIGHT ON PFAS

New carcinogen profile for PFAS

A profile for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is now available. PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used extensively in consumer and industrial products, including food packaging, waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, paints, and more. They are highly persistent in the environment and can contaminate the air, soil, and water.

The main route of exposure for the general population is through food and drinking water, while workers are primarily exposed via contaminated dust and air. Two types of PFAS – perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) – were recently evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The new PFAS profile is available here.

Community Profiles: PFAS levels in Indigenous communities across Canada

As a part of our ongoing commitment to Indigeneity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI), we are featuring a new “Community Profiles” section in our newsletter. This space will be devoted to uplifting and raising the profile of communities that may be at greater risk of exposure to carcinogens, or who have recently made progress in finding solutions to combat exposures.

The Inuit population of Nunavik, Quebec have some of the highest reported per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) levels among Indigenous communities and in all of Canada, despite their remote location relative to PFAS-emitting industries. This is due in part to diets with the higher reliance on country (traditional) foods like caribou, fish, and marine mammals, which can contain high levels of PFAS. But it is also indicative of a larger issue: PFAS can be transported to the Arctic region from more industrialized areas via atmospheric and oceanic currents. Considering the ubiquity of PFAS, the ability for it to transported across the globe, and the biomagnification in animals and marine life, the environmental harm being experienced by Indigenous communities in the arctic and subarctic regions of Canada is unjustly compounded.

PFAS is not just an important issue for northern Indigenous communities. Many communities that experience systemic disadvantages, particularly those living in close proximity to manufacturing facilities, chemical refineries, or waste disposal sites, face significant health impacts from intense and prolonged chemical exposure. For example, Aamjiwnaang First Nation has multiple sources of PFAS in close proximity to their community, increasing their risk of PFAS contamination through the air and local drinking water.

In August 2024, the Government of Canada released the Objective for Canadian drinking water quality- per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which sets forth a drinking water objective for PFAS of 30 ng/L (nanograms per litre). While Indigenous communities, along with the rest of Canada, do not have a permanent monitoring programs in place to detect PFAS levels in drinking water, the new objective will set the bar for future testing and remediation programs.

IN MEMORIAM

Honouring Dr. Thomas Tenkate

On behalf our entire CAREX Canada team and extended networks of friends and colleagues, we honour the memory of our cherished colleague, Dr. Thomas Tenkate, who passed away suddenly in July. Thomas is survived by his wife Katie and his children Abigail and Hudson, and by countless friends, family, and colleagues in Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Thomas had over 30 years of experience in the occupational and public health fields starting in his home country of Australia. He worked for government and with industry for 10 years before moving to academia, where he became the Graduate Program Director at the Queensland University of Technology. In 2011, Thomas moved to Canada to take on the position of Director of the School of Occupational and Public Health at what is now called Toronto Metropolitan University. The undercurrent of his entire professional life was a deep commitment to supporting the health and safety of workers. Thomas was also a dedicated educator and supporter of unions and worker organization in general.

We extend our condolences to any and all who knew him, we celebrate his contributions to occupational health and safety in Canada, and we commit to carrying forward his legacy with the same sense of calm commitment that Thomas always brought to his work.

PARTNER UPDATE

New Canada-wide survey on household radon exposure

Approximately 1 in 5 (18%) Canadians live in buildings with radon levels at or above the current guideline of 200 Bq/m³, according to a new survey from the team at Evict Radon. These estimates are greater than the previous Cross-Canada Survey (2009-11), which showed approximately 7% of homes at or above 200 Bq/m³.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. The new survey, titled 2024 Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Exposure in the Residential Buildings of Urban and Rural Communities, estimates that 10.3 million Canadians have an elevated risk of lung cancer from radon exposure in their homes. Some areas of Canada have more homes with high radon levels, including Atlantic Canada, the Prairies, the North, and Interior BC, but radon levels vary significantly across regions, urban and rural communities, and building types. The only way to know if radon gas is present is to test for it.

Read more about this survey, which was led by the Evict Radon team in collaboration with CAREX Canada, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and Health Canada, here. For more information on radon exposure, visit our website here.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

New workers’ exposure to carcinogens and masking misinformation

Our team recently published journal articles on CAREX-related research, including:

• An investigation on new workers who may be at higher risk of occupational exposure to carcinogens, which includes young workers and recent immigrants who work in construction, agriculture, and trades.  
• A social media analysis on anti-masking posts on Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic, which explores the online spread of health-related misinformation and conspiracy theories that may lead to distrust in government and public health authorities and impact the health of workers and the public.

A full list of our publications is available here.

Please note that the CAREX Canada e-Bulletin is now a bi-annual digest. For more regular communications from us, please subscribe to Carcinogens in the News, a monthly digest of media articles, government reports, and academic literature related to the carcinogens we’ve classified as important for surveillance in Canada.

IN THIS ISSUE

Spotlight on cancer misinformation and disinformation – New publication and grant to combat online cancer mis- and disinformation 
Team update – CAREX Canada is pleased to welcome new team member Emily Heer
Community profiles – Industrial benzene emissions in Aamjiwnaang First Nation
Communications update – CAREX Canada invites you to join us on LinkedIn
Partner updates – Newly released Canadian Cancer Statistics and an upcoming EPICOH conference

SPOTLIGHT ON CANCER MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION

New publication and grant to combat online cancer misinformation

Misinformation and disinformation about cancer risks, prevention, and treatment is becoming more common, especially in online spaces. Misinformation is false information that is not intended to cause harm (though it may still do so), while disinformation is false information that is intended to cause harm and mislead people. Our team is working to better understand the impact this has on Canadians and develop strategies that will combat online untruths about cancer prevention and treatment.

We recently published a new study on Canadians’ knowledge of cancer risk factors and belief in cancer myths. This research showed that while Canadians were able to identify some well-known cancer risk factors, such as tobacco smoke and sun exposure, they also believed many cancer myths and were unable to recognize other important risk factors. This highlights the need for further investigation to understand and address cancer mis- and disinformation.

Our Principal Investigator Dr. Cheryl Peters was awarded a Challenge Grant from the Canadian Cancer Society to further examine online cancer mis- and disinformation and health literacy in Canada. Alongside co-investigators Professor Timothy Caulfield and Dr. Lin Yang, our research team will investigate how people in Canada access cancer prevention and treatment information and what drives cancer-related mis- and disinformation from online sources. We’ll also be developing a digital strategy with the Canadian Cancer Society to support community partners in combating cancer mis- and disinformation. Read more about this upcoming work on the BC Centre for Disease Control website here, and stay tuned for the results in upcoming newsletters.

Dr. Cheryl Peters and Professor Timothy Caulfield will be also joining Dr. Thomas Piggot, Krishana Sankar, and Marco Zenone in an upcoming webinar, Supporting Patients and Providers in a Sea of Health Misinformation, on June 27, 2024. This free accredited educational session is is open to all health professionals who want to learn how to help patients navigate health misinformation and access recommended resources. Click here to register.

TEAM UPDATE

Welcome Emily

The CAREX team is pleased to welcome our new Senior Research Coordinator Emily Heer! Based at the University of British Columbia, Emily has a background in cancer epidemiology, specifically focusing on cancer prevention and reducing disparities in underserved populations. Emily joins the CAREX team to identify the effects of climate change-related extreme weather events on the health of workers in Canada, as well as supporting our work on cancer mis-and disinformation. Her full biography can be found on Our Team page.

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Industrial benzene emissions in the Aamjiwnaang First Nation

As a part of our ongoing commitment to Indigeneity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI), we are featuring a new “Community Profiles” section in our newsletter. This space will be devoted to uplifting and raising the profile of communities that may be at greater risk of exposure to carcinogens, or who have recently made progress in finding solutions to combat exposures.

This past April, Aamjiwnaang First Nation declared a state of emergency due to the recorded high levels of benzene in their community. While this is not the first time that the Nation’s air quality has been impacted by nearby industrial pollution, this is the first time Aamjiwnaang have issued an emergency order, with a subsequent Notice of Violation issued by the Nation days later.

Benzene is a known carcinogen associated with leukemia, and can also cause other health concerns including headaches, drowsiness, anaemia, and neuropathies. While there is currently no set hourly limit for benzene, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) has set the annual average limit at 0.45 ug/m³. On April 25^th, one of Aamjiwnaang’s air monitors registered a benzene level of 191 ug/m³.

On the heels of a province-led air exposure review of the Aamjiwnaang and Sarnia area that recommended the MECP “require improved environmental performance and reduced emissions of benzene from local industrial sources”, this latest peak in benzene emissions is evidence that more can done to protect Aamjiwnaang citizens from environmental harm.

In mid-May, the federal government issued an Interim Order to the petrochemical industry in Sarnia, requiring some facilities registering excessive benzene readings to implement vapour-control measures to reduce emissions in the region. The Order was in effect for 14 days, and the Governor in Council approved an extension to the Order for up to two years. The government of Canada is also working to finalize the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations by winter 2024-2025, which would outline the requirements of the petroleum and petrochemical industries to control and lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, including benzene.

To read more about CAREX Canada’s previous work with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, click here. To learn more about exposure to benzene, visit our profile.

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE

CAREX Canada is now on LinkedIn

We’ve joined LinkedIn! Follow us here for news and information on exposures to occupational and environmental carcinogens, updates on our work, upcoming events, and more. Please share with your networks – we look forward to connecting with you there!

Don’t have LinkedIn? You can also keep in touch with us on X @CAREXCanada or by subscribing to our newsletters, including our monthly Carcinogens in the News digest.

PARTNER UPDATES

Newly released Canadian Cancer Statistics and upcoming EPICOH Early Career conference

The Canadian Cancer Society has released their 2024 Canadian Cancer Statistics publication, which provides projected estimates of new cancer cases and deaths by sex and geographic region for over 20 cancer types. An estimated 247,100 new cancer cases and 88,100 deaths are expected in 2024, with lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers projected to be the most common cancers. Cancer continues to be the number one cause of death in Canada, highlighting the importance of prevention.

Our colleagues at the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) are helping to organize the upcoming Scientific Committee on Epidemiology in Occupational Health (EPICOH) Early Career Conference in Barcelona, Spain on November 4^th and 5^th, 2024. The conference serves as a platform for early career researchers and professionals in the field of occupational epidemiology, industrial hygiene, and occupational health to exchange ideas, share insights, and foster collaboration. The abstract deadline is June 15^th, 2024. Learn more and register here.

Please note that the CAREX Canada e-Bulletin is now a bi-annual digest. For more regular communications from us, please subscribe to Carcinogens in the News, a monthly digest of media articles, government reports, and academic literature related to the carcinogens we’ve classified as important for surveillance in Canada.