New limit values for occupational exposure to lead and diisocyanates
9/04/2024
This past February, the European Council released new limit values for occupational exposure to lead and its inorganic compounds. The new directive reduces it fivefold.
Additionally, the EU also has established its first-time limit values for diisocyanates.
Those hazardous substances have a substantial negative impact on sexual function, fertility and the nervous system. Lead, in particular, has a lasting impact, and workers exposed to it require regular medical surveillance.
The new limit values for lead are the following:
- Occupational exposure limit from 0.15 milligrams per cubic meter (0.15mg/m3) to 0.03mg/m3, and
- Biological limit value from 70 microgram per 100 millilitres of blood (70µg/100ml) to 15µg/100ml (30 µg/100ml until 2028)
The limit values for diisocyanates are:
- Overall occupational exposure limit of 6µg NCO/m3 (10 µg/m3 until 2028)
- Short-term exposure limit of 12µg NCO/m3 (20 µg/m3 until 2028)
This directive, published in February 2024, has been published in the Official Journal of the E.U. From then, the member states will have two years to establish the new limit values and adopt the necessary precautions.
