OCCUPATION-INDUCED ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSITION AND SKIN-CANCER - RELEVANCEIN LEGISLATION ON OCCUPATIONAL-DISEASES

Skin cancer is increasing worldwide and its genesis is being discussed in relationship with exposure to ultraviolet light. In many occupatio nal areas, for example when working outdoors or during special work pr ocesses the occupational exposure to ultraviolet light then exceeds th e exposure to sunlight of the individual in his free time. The relatio nship between occupational exposure to solar ultraviolet light and the incidence of skin cancer in groups particularly at risk has, however rarely been investigated This article, therefore, examines on the basi s of the socio-legal conditions given in the ''Berufskrankheitenliste' ' (German legislative list of occupational diseases) whether skin tumo rs in principle can fulfill these criteria for the corresponding occup ational exposure to ultraviolet light.