Community news|13/02/23

New exposure limits for lead and diisocyanates

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > New exposure limits for lead and diisocyanates

The European Commission has taken steps to reduce exposure limits and improve the protection of workers from the health risks associated with exposure to these hazardous chemicals: lead and diisocyanates.

Specifically, it proposes to amend Directives 98/24/EC and 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to:

  • exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins at work, in the case of lead;
  • chemical agents at work for lead and diisocyanates.

The proposed changes will thus help prevent risks to reproductive functions and foetal development for instance on the one hand, and cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases on the other. They will also be essential to protect workers in the context of the transition to climate neutrality. Lead and diisocyanates are likely to be used, for example, in the production of batteries and in processes to make electric vehicles lighter, in wind turbines or as insulating materials in building renovations.

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