Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Construction work
Dust, silica, asbestos (older sites), diesel exhaust from equipment.
Also known as: builder, construction site
What this does NOT mean
Finding a factor documented in this product category does not establish that ordinary use of construction work causes cancer. It means research — through regulatory testing, recall records, or IARC review — has found that chemical present in this category. Whether it matters for you depends on formulation, dose, frequency, and route of exposure.
What has been documented
- Crystalline silica dustIARC Group 1IARC Group 1Exposure from · high confidence
Cutting concrete and stone releases respirable silica.
Evidence source: IARC
- AsbestosIARC Group 1IARC Group 1Exposure from · high confidence
Renovation of pre-1980 buildings can disturb asbestos.
Evidence source: IARC
- Diesel engine exhaustIARC Group 1IARC Group 1Exposure from · high confidence
Diesel-powered heavy equipment on site.
Evidence source: IARC
- Wood dust (occupational)IARC Group 1IARC Group 1Exposure from · high confidence
Sawing and sanding wood produces respirable dust.
Evidence source: IARC
How to read this page
A factor appearing on this page means it has been documented in this product category — through EPA / FDA testing, IARC monographs, or regulatory recall records. Whether it presents a meaningful personal risk depends on the specific formulation, dose, and how you're exposed. Click any factor to read what science actually says about it, and where.