More lawsuits expected after WHO links air pollution and cancer

More workers are likely to sue their employers for work-related cancer, lawyers say, after the World Health Organisation officially classified outdoor air pollution to be cancer-causing.

Lawyers Albert Luk Wai-hung and Vitus Leung Wing-hang both said the number of claims would surge as outdoor workers suffering from cancer related to air quality had a better chance of winning lawsuits and bigger payouts.

The WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer on Thursday classified outdoor air pollution as a leading cause of cancer. It is more dangerous even than second-hand tobacco smoke, according to the WHO.

Air pollution had previously been found to boost the chances of heart and respiratory diseases.

"The official declaration of the WHO will definitely raise the public awareness on air pollution and cancer," Luk said. "I am quite sure more people will consider taking such action now there is a strong foundation to prove that working in polluted air has very serious consequences."

Leung said it was difficult now for employees to hold their employer responsible for lung cancer related to poor air quality due to a lack of medical proof.

But the WHO declaration would be sound evidence to back the claim, Leung said.