Documents Palmen, N.G.M. 2 results

"The Dutch ministry of Social Affairs and Employment aims to reduce worker exposure to carcinogens. So, it is important to identify carcinogens and work processes that may cause cancer as early as possible. Also at the European level there is much interest in so-called early warning systems, but countries use different systems. RIVM made an inventory in 51 European countries for identifying new and emerging risks for workers. Seven countries developed a signaling tool, sometimes in cooperation with another country. Using such a tool, physicians can report health effects, e.g. cancer, when they suspect a hitherto unknown causal relationship between substances or work processes and the reported health effect. Next, a group of experts in occupational disease and exposure will evaluate the possible causal relationship. Ten other countries reported systems which are not specifically designed to identify new and emerging risks of chemicals, but which may be used as such. Besides signaling tools, databases are available with information on exposure to hazardous substances and processes, and health effects. These databases can be used to identify possible carcinogens. Again, expert groups play a fundamental role in the evaluation. National centres that investigate work-related health effects of workers play an essential role in the evaluation of a possible causal relationship between exposure and health effect, according to experts in the field. According to most of the countries in this study, cases should be collected and evaluated preferably at an international level. Many suggestions were given; e.g. using an already existing international network of professionals who evaluate and discuss new and emerging risks for workers (MODERNET) or other international advisory committees. Once a new and emerging health risk has been established, action has to be taken to control the risk. This study gives an overview of possible actions."

"This report provides an overview of occupational exposure limit values and classifications for carcinogenicity within the EU for 47 (groups of) substances. The data presented allow a direct comparison of the available limit values and classifications.

To assure a safe and healthy workplace for employees working with hazardous chemicals, it is important that the exposure to these substances is minimized. For this purpose, it is necessary to determine the maximum concentration of a chemical in air that may still be considered safe. These occupational exposure limits (OELs) can be set at European level, at national level or by companies themselves. However, regulations for setting OELs may vary, so that for one substance several different OELs may exist within Europe. In addition to OELs, substances can be classified based on their possible carcinogenic properties.

Information on OELs was obtained from the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL), the European chemicals legislation (REACH) -dossiers, and statutory OELs published by the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Finland. Further, data on classification for carcinogenicity was obtained from the European Commission and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)."