14 DAY TRIAL // Due to the fact that they are continually exposed to high levels of chemicals, metals and electromagnetic fields, computer factory workers have high chances of contracting cancer. These are the results of a recent study conducted by a team of researchers at the US Boston University School of Public Health and published in the Environmental Health science journal.
Lead researcher of the study Richard Clapp from Boston University School of Public Health stated: "It was not possible to link these deaths to specific chemicals or other exposures in the workplace because the information necessary to do this was not available." He also added: "The excesses of some cancers were greater in the younger age groups and in the 1970s and 1980s rather than the latter years of the study period."
According to scientists, this is the largest study conducted in the field, as it has investigated the deaths of more than 30,000 factory workers which occurred since 1969. Overall findings of the research showed that most deaths intervened due to cancer of the brain and central nervous system in manufacturing workers from factories in California, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. Also, investigations brought to light the fact that many IBM factory workers died of brain, kidney, breast cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Commenting on the current study and speaking about the high risk factors Nat Semi computer factory workers have been exposed to, Professor Andrew Watterson, of Stirling University's occupational, environmental and public health group, pointed out: "The US study confirms some of the evidence we have seen at Nat Semi. The families of former Nat Semi workers have been calling for years for a Europe-wide or international study into the industry, and this is the next best thing."