South Korean court rules lung cancer death as occupational hazard

A South Korean court has ruled that the death of a worker from lung cancer was an occupational hazard caused by long-term exposure to metal dust and cutting oil mist. The Seoul Administrative Court overturned a previous decision by the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, which had denied survivor benefits and funeral expenses.

The deceased worker had spent over 13 years performing metal cutting and grinding tasks in a poorly ventilated, enclosed workspace without wearing protective masks. While the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service argued that the exposure levels were low and the substances were not classified as carcinogens, the court found that ultra-fine metal dust can reach the alveoli and increase the risk of adenocarcinoma.

The court also noted that the worker's history of smoking did not negate the causal link between the work environment and the cancer diagnosis. This ruling emphasizes the necessity of managing hazardous substances and providing protective equipment in industrial settings.