With 45 votes in favour, no votes against, and 10 abstentions, Employment and Social Affairs Committee MEPs approved the sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD), which includes new exposure limit values for certain dangerous chemicals, based on the latest scientific data.

New exposure limit values

MEPs backed new limit values for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, used for battery production, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, used in steel, iron and aluminium production, and 1,4-dioxane, used for chemical and textile production. They also supported the addition of welding fumes.

Isoprene

MEPs included a long-term occupational exposure limit value for isoprene (used in the chemical and rubber producing industry), which they say meets the criteria for classification as carcinogenic. Exposure to isoprene can cause irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs, and chronic and high exposure may lead to liver cancer and anaemia.

Use of protective…