Selected Health, Safety & Environment Issues

1. Selected Health, Safety & Environment Issues F. VAN HOUTE (CPIV/EDG) ICF Technical Exchange Conference Waterford/Ireland 13-14 October 2002

2. Contents • Worker Exposure • OEL for Lead • OEL for Crystalline Silica • OEL for Noise • Consumer Exposure and Environment • Traceability • Lead Release into Water • Other (Boron Risk Assessment)

3. Worker Exposure:OEL for Lead I • 8 September 2000: SCOEL recommendation for new OEL for lead 30µg/dl (70 µg/dl), 100 µg/m3 (150 µg/m3), justification unclear (why 30 µg/dl?) • Procedure: 6-months period for scientific/socio- economic comments, Commission proposal, codecision (revision of 1982 directive on binding OEL for lead) • Comments/lobbying prepared by Eurométaux (EU non-ferrous metals association) • Socio-economic comments: questionnaire prepared (lead/users) on the impact of 30/40/50 µg

4. Worker Exposure:OEL for Lead II • 2 scientific reports: by independent expert (Prof. Bernard, UCL/B), and by industry experts >>Conclusion: No justification for common blood level, for 30 µg for men, for identification of neurobehavioural effects on the basis of OEL (May 2001) • Socio-economic reports: reports by Eurométaux, Eurobat, ILZSG (lead and zinc study group) • General conclusion: for men 50 could be reached, 40 if necessary within at least 5 years, no change for lead in air

5. Worker Exposure:OEL for Lead III • OEL to be integrated into the new EU Chemicals Policy, currently in discussion at EU level • National intiatives: F (40 µg/dl by 2006), D (55 µg/dl by 2003, 40 µg/dl by 2006), Italy (60 µg/dl by 2002/3), Scandinavia (50 µg/dl), Cz (40) etc. • Time schedule: final SCOEL recommendation (January 02), ACSHH, socio-economic comments (October), Commission proposal for legislation • Not on EU priority list, staff changes • Common lobbying: Commission, ACSHH, EP, national level, possible CPIV/EDG actions

6. Worker Exposure:OEL for Crystalline Silica I • Background: 1996 IARC evaluation of inhaled crystalline silica (quartz, cristobalite) as a carcinogen. Scientific Evidence? • 1998: Council asks Commission to prepare OEL, SCOEL starts working. But not a priority substance for classification. • Basis: Chemicals Directive or Carcinogens Directive • Review by advisory bodies, national initiatives in EU countries planned?

7. Worker Exposure: OEL for Crystalline Silica II • 20 June 2002: SCOEL recommendation • OEL should lie below 0.05 mg/m3 • Document open for comments till 31/12/02 (first scientific comments, socio-economic comments later) • Final recommendation for autumn 2003, then Commission proposal, codecision procedure • EUROSIL action: socio-economic survey (feasible limits), questionnaire to user industries at national level • Possible action at CPIV level

8. Worker Exposure:OEL for Noise • Proposal for a Directive on Physical Agents (1993) split into separate proposals: vibration (1999), noise (2000, repealing 1986 directive) • Noise: 1st proposal: new action values:85 (90) dBA, 80 (85) dBA, hearing protection allowed • Council Common Position, Parliament readings (2nd reading reducing action values to 85 and 80 dBA, limit to 87 with hearing protection) • Position Paper (no justification for revision, limits too low, no hearing protection unacceptable) • Conciliation talks started early September

9. Consumer Exposure:Traceability I • 2001:Proposal for amendment of Dir 89/109/EEC on food contact articles to include « traceability » • EU Commission (Dr. Rossi) asked EUPC to prepare guidelines on traceability practices, to be attached to the revised Directive • All articles in contact with foodstuffs concerned, compulsory marking considered… • EUPC working group, lobbying (proportionality), preparation of industry practical guide (including 1-page practices in container glass industry)

10. Consumer Exposure:Traceability II • EDG Lobbying against compulsory marking (eco., technic. difficult, design); position (with FEVE) on impact on multiple-use articles…. • Latest amendment: obligation to identify only « businesses », raw materials ‘where appropriate’  • Industry Practices Document: delivered in March, adapted in July, new broader document for all sectors (guidelines, not prescriptive practices) • Timetable: Commisson proposal (recast) expected in November, codecision (Parliament/Council lobbying needed)

11. Other Issues:Lead in Water • Water Framework Directive (2000): lead classified as « priority substance under review (‘01) », Commission to determine by end 2002 if all emissions of lead to water to be phased out by 2020 • 2 reports prepared (lead fact sheet by TNO, lead-related risks to health/environment by consultant) • Commission to ask CSTEE for opinion (due for June, delay), Faunhofer report on methodology to set criteria expected soon • Final decision possibly delayed

12. Other Issues:Boron • Since 1999 boron is assessed by the Commission (A), based on hazard: possible classification as carcinogenic • Industry task force set up with IMA (risk assessment) • Questionnaire to collect information from producers/end-users (worker exposure, use, waste, emissions to water…) • External expert to analyse the data but process blocked (lacking data, New Chemicals Policy)