European Union adopts stricter chemical exposure limits for workers

EU member states have officially approved stricter limit values for several hazardous substances to protect workers from cancer, asthma, and other illnesses. The new regulations target substances frequently used in steel production and the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries, magnets, and hard metals.

Specifically, new limits have been set for cobalt and its inorganic compounds. These include a threshold of 0.01 milligrams per cubic meter for particles inhaled through the nose and mouth, and 0.0025 milligrams per cubic meter for finer particles that penetrate deeper into the lungs. The European Commission notes that approximately 113,000 workers in the EU are exposed to cobalt and its compounds.

The updated directive also introduces long-term limit values for isoprene, a substance used in the chemical industry, and classifies welding fumes as potentially harmful. These measures are projected to prevent approximately 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other illnesses over the next 40 years. Industry players have been granted a six-year transition period to adapt to the new standards.