A long-term study by Outokumpu’s Chief Medical Officer Markku Huvinen received the Sustainability Award by ISSF (International Stainless Steel Forum) at the ISSF Annual General Meeting in Rome, Italy. This is second sustainability award received by Outokumpu.
Until now, no scientific studies had been published on, for example, exposure to dusts containing chromium and nickel in the stainless steel industry. Markku Huvinen has studied the occupational health of Outokumpu’s employees in the Tornio stainless steel mill and Kemi mine for 30 years. The study shows that there is no added risk of cancer to individuals working in steel mills and living nearby. The study assessed the risk of cancer, especially cancers of the lung and nose, among the employees in Kemi and Tornio since the start of the production in 1967 until 2011. Results show no evidence for higher cancer rates among the employees. The overall cancer incidence of Outokumpu employees was similar to the general population, and the lung cancer rates were actually lower.
Says Outokumpu CEO Mika Seitovirta, “We are extremely proud of this recognition given by ISSF to Markku’s study. Markku been a pioneer to study occupational health in our industry and his work is a foundation to Outokumpu’s continued efforts to ensure our employee’s health also in the future.”
