Better protection against lead and diisocyanates
The European Parliament confirms new occupational exposure limit values.
RH – 02/2024
On the 7th February
2024, the European Parliament approved the provisional trilogue agreement to amend the Directive regarding the exposure limit values for lead and its inorganic compounds and
diisocyanates by a large majority in the plenary session.
The vote was preceded by a
parliamentary debate in which MEPs emphasised the importance of the new provisions governing the health and safety of workers. In
the European Union (EU), around 50,000 to 150,000 workers are exposed to lead
and 4.2 million workers are exposed to diisocyanates every year. Both materials
are used in batteries and roofing materials, as well as in the manufacture of
wind turbines and electric vehicles.
Limit value for lead updated for the first time in more than 40 years
The Directive will now update
the occupational exposure limit value for lead for the first time since 1982
and reduce it to 0.03 mg/m3. The biological limit value for lead
will be reduced to 15 µg/100 ml from 1 January 2029, until then a transitional
limit value of 30 µg/100 ml will apply. According to the European
Chemicals Agency, exposure to lead may cause cardiovascular disease, kidney
disease, high blood pressure or fertility problems. Further health surveillance
measures are therefore being introduced for women of childbearing age and
employees who have already been exposed to lead for a longer period of time.
Definition of a limit value for diisocyanates
Diisocyanates are chemical
agents that can have effects on the health of the respiratory tract and skin in
the event of occupational exposure. The Directive now sets an exposure limit
value for the first time. The maximum allowable concentration during an
eight-hour working day is set to 6 µg NCO/m3. A limit value of 12 µg
NCO/m3 is set for short-term exposure of 15 minutes.
Completion of the legislative process as early as February
The Council will formally vote on the
adoption of the legislative act on 26 February 2024. Provided that the Council also confirms the new provisions, the Directive will be published in
the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days later.