The European Parliament added 11 new substances to the list of those that cause cancer. The list is created to save 100 from death. people in the next 50 years.
The regulations establish maximum permissible concentrations of carcinogenic or mutagenic chemicals in the air in the workplace. Their limitation is to contribute to a significant reduction in the number of employees suffering from cancer. The limits are expressed in milligrams per cubic meter of air.
Among the new substances that have been added to the list are, inter alia, acrylamide, vinyl bromide, ethylene oxide, hydrazine, ceramic refractory fibers and silica dust.
According to the EP, workers in the construction, chemical, wood and textile sectors are particularly exposed to these substances. Employers will need to identify and assess the risks to workers who are exposed to these substances and take preventive measures.
The new directive also changes the limits for two substances that were already on the list – dust that appears when wood is cut, and vinyl chloride used in the production of PVC.
Across the European Union, cancer is the leading cause of work-related deaths. Annually, 53 percent. work-related deaths have been attributed to cancer. For comparison, in the case of cardiovascular diseases it is 28 percent. and 6 percent in the case of respiratory. The most common types of occupational cancer are lung cancer, mesothelioma (caused by asbestos particles), and bladder cancer.
The new regulations will come into force within 20 days from the date of publication of the document.