Compensated for Cancer?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, concluded in 2007 that night work is "probably carcinogenic to humans." Furthermore, the IARC classifies the cancer risk of night work as "Group 2A," the same group as tanning beds-and only one group below asbestos and mustard gas.
According to CNN, employers in Denmark are paying compensation to women who developed breast cancer after working night shifts:
Thirty-eight eight women have so far received payments via their employers' insurance companies, the Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries told CNN.
To qualify for compensation, women must have developed breast cancer after having worked at least one night shift a week for 20 to 30 years.
The amount of compensation depends on the severity of claimants' illness and their ability to work.
This article got me thinking. Would this ever happen in the United States? Do you think health care providers--or anyone who works night shifts--would get compensated for cancer linked to night shift work?
You can read the whole article here.