EU Proposes New Chemical Exposure Limits for Worker Health
The European Commission has proposed the 6th revision of the Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD) to provide stronger protection for workers against hazardous chemicals at work. This step is expected to help prevent around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and more than 19,000 other serious diseases over the next 40 years.
In particular, the Commission proposes limit values for the following substances:
- Cobalt and its inorganic compounds: 0.01 mg/mยณ and 0.0025 mg/mยณ for pitose and fine particles, respectively; with a transition period of six years.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): 0.00007 mg/mยณ limit; double the interim limit will be applied for six years for sectors to comply.
- 1,4-Dioxane: General limit 7.3 mg/mยณ and short-term exposure limit 73 mg/mยณ; biological exposure limit is also on the agenda.
In addition, welding fumes are also included in the scope of the CMRD and added to the legal framework. With this extension, employers are expected to take more comprehensive measures against dermal and other exposure.
The proposal is now under discussion in the European Parliament and Council. If adopted, Member States will have two years to transpose the new rules into their national legislation.For the Commission Proposal: Commission Proposal
