EXPOSURE TO CARCINOGENIC AGENTS IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE AMENDMENT MADE BY DECREE NO. 10.410/2020 uma análise da alteração realizada pelo decreto nº 10.410/2020

Abstract

The following article deals with the amendment promoted by the decree n 10.410 of 2020 regarding exposure to carcinogens in the work environment. The study’s purpose is to analyse the amendment’s impact on health protection and life quality of the workers exposed to these agents. For that, a bibliographical, normative, jurisprudential and documentary research will be carried out. Initially, the association of fundamental rights to health and an ecologically balanced environment is made, starting from an integrated vision of both. Then, the incidence of cancer in the occupational environment was systematized, with a focus on exposure to benzene. It was found that due to the harmful effects to human health, the occupational exposure to carcinogens agents must be taken into account in the prevention and control of cancer in the country. Then, the analysis of the legislative change will be carried out in opposition to the material limits of reform and the principle of non-retrogression. Finally, it was concluded that the change reduced the effectiveness of protecting the health of workers exposed to such substances.