A simple approach to performing quantitative cancer risk assessment using published results from occupational epidemiology studies

Quantitative risk assessment provides formalized scientific input for setting occupational and environmental standards for potentially toxic exposures. We describe the methods to perform quantitative cancer risk assessment based on published epidemiological literature using a hand calculator or spreadsheet. These methods are illustrated for some suspected or known human carcinogens, including perchloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and nickel. The approach to cancer risk assessment presented here may prove useful for those without access to original data from epidemiologic studies. The methods described should facilitate the use of published epidemiological data in the estimation of cancer risk in the general or working population.