A recent study led by Silent Spring Institute has shed light on the potential risks faced by immigrant women in the United States who work in jobs that expose them to chemicals linked to breast cancer. The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, is one of the first to examine how job-related chemical exposures may contribute to breast cancer risk among foreign-born workers, especially in occupations with fewer health and safety protections.
Lead author Dr. Kristin Knox, a research scientist at Silent Spring, highlighted the importance of focusing on women workers, particularly immigrant women, as previous occupational health research has mainly centered on men. The researchers analyzed U.S. Census data to identify the most common occupations held by immigrant women and matched them with data from the Women’s Occupations and Risk from Chemicals Project, which tracks occupations in California involving exposure to chemicals relevant to breast cancer.
The study revealed that house cleaners, nurses, cashiers, janitors, and care aides are among the most common jobs held by immigrant women, with house cleaners and nurses facing the highest potential chemical exposures. Common chemicals in these occupations include fragrances, cleaning agents, pesticides, phthalates, antimicrobials, and alkylphenols, which are known to be endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormones and potentially lead to breast cancer.
According to Knox, immigrant women are disproportionately represented in high-risk occupations, making them more susceptible to hazardous substances and long-term health consequences related to their work. The research also highlighted disparities based on language and education, with women who have higher education levels and better English skills more likely to work in lower-exposure jobs.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of understanding the unique barriers faced by immigrant women in avoiding toxic exposures at work, such as language barriers and fear of speaking out due to undocumented status or job insecurity. The researchers plan to collect exposure measurements from women in high-risk occupations to further investigate the issue and develop strategies for stronger workplace protections.
The ultimate goal of the project is to implement changes in workplace practices to reduce exposures to harmful chemicals and provide information on safer products and alternatives. By raising awareness about the risks faced by immigrant women in certain occupations, the study aims to advocate for policies that protect all workers, regardless of their background, from harmful exposures in the workplace.
