Women in Denmark who have developed bladder cancer after working as hairdressers may now be eligible for compensation, following an update to the list of occupational diseases by the Danish Working Environment Authority (AES).

Previously, compensation was only available to male hairdressers diagnosed with bladder cancer. The change comes after new research indicated that both male and female hairdressers face an increased risk of developing the disease due to exposure to chemicals used in their daily work.

AES, which handles work injury cases and compensates for occupational diseases, stated that the registers will now include both men and women in the hairdressing profession. A significant exposure to these chemicals over several years is a requirement for receiving compensation.

The updated regulations also allow women whose previous claims for occupational injury compensation were rejected to have their cases re-examined. AES encourages anyone affected by this change to contact them.

In addition to hairdressers, individuals who have developed lung, lymphoma, or stomach cancer after working in the rubber industry may also be entitled to compensation. The same applies to those with kidney or testicular cancer who were exposed to PFOA, a substance previously used in fire extinguishing foam.

Towards the end of 2023, firefighters with certain types of cancer became eligible for compensation. The list of occupational diseases then included bladder cancer, which can result from soot exposure, and pleural cancer, caused by asbestos exposure.

While the latest update from AES is pending formal approval from the Ministry of Employment, the diseases are already being considered in AES’s case processing.