Development of Korean CARcinogen EXposure: IARC Group 2A Carcinogens

Abstract

Backgrounds: Reliable exposure data are critical for occupational cancer prevention and epidemiological studies. We developed the Korean CARcinogen EXposure (K-CAREX) to provide exposure prevalence and intensity for 20 carcinogens classified as Group 1 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This study extends K-CAREX to include IARC Group 2A agents. Methods: National data sources, including the Work Environment Measurement Database (WEMD), Special Health Examination Database (SHED), and Work Environment Condition Survey (WECS), provided basic exposure data. A stepwise estimation approach was employed to refine exposure prevalence estimates by industry, derived from the WEMD, SHED, and WECS. WEMD was used to estimate exposure intensity by industry, whereas SHED was used to assess exposure prevalence by occupation. Matched data, representing workers who wore samplers and underwent health examinations for the same carcinogen in the same year, were used to estimate exposure intensity by occupation. Results: A total of 18 IARC Group 2A agents were included. Exposure prevalence was estimated for all 18 carcinogens by industry, and exposure intensity was estimated for 16. The number of exposed workers was estimated, with 162,153 workers exposed to lead, for example. Exposure prevalence and intensity were also assessed for 18 and 16 carcinogens, respectively, by occupation. Conclusion: The K-CAREX database was developed to estimate exposure prevalence and intensity by industry and occupation for 18 IARC Group 2A agents. These findings provide valuable data for cancer prevention and epidemiological studies. Future work may expand K-CAREX to include IARC Group 2B agents and other carcinogenic agents. © 2025 Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute