OBJECTIVE: to amend Directive 90/394/EEC in order to set new limit values for occupational exposure to carcinogens, particularly benzene, and to make provision for the inclusion of certain preparations which are currently excluded from the scope of the directive.
CONTENT: the main amendments to the directive seek to:
- amend the annex to Directive 90/394/EEC so as to set limit values for the exposure of workers to benzene (3.25 mg/m3).
The directive makes provision for derogations for certain sites or sectors of activity, the limit value for which is set at 9.75 mg/m3 until 31 December 2000 (e.g. garages, non-self-service petrol stations etc.).
- extend the scope of the directive: the directive has been reworded to include exposure to preparations such as medicines for human or veterinary use, cosmetic products, mixtures of substances in the form of waste, pesticides, munitions and explosives, and foodstuffs. At the same time the directive also covers class R45 substances which "may cause cancer" and class R49 substances which "may cause cancer by inhalation" in order to avoid different levels of protection between workers exposed to preparations containing carcinogens;
- amend the directive in order to formulate a new strategy for monitoring exposed workers, taking account of the total effect of exposure (i.e. not only respiratory exposure but also exposure from penetration through the skin);
- correct certain editorial shortcomings which totally negated the purpose of the original text in certain language versions, the aim being to provide unambiguous protection for workers against polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in certain by-products of coal
DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION: Member States must comply with this directive by 31 December 1998.
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