The recent directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens and mutagens addresses the problem of exposure to crystalline silica.

In view of current scientific knowledge, the directive assigns the role of carcinogen to work processes that generate exposure to crystalline silica in the respirable fraction and not to silica as such. Therefore, this choice does not determine the obligation to classify and label as carcinogenic the products containing more than 0.1% of crystalline silica in the respirable fraction. Considering that the Scientific Committee of Occupational Level defines the silica substance for which a “practical” limit value can be identified, the directive has established an OEL of 0.1 mg / m3. According to the directive, compliance with the limit value does not exempt the application of prevention measures provided for by the directive itself and by national regulations. However, in relation to the available literature data, it is considered possible to identify an action level lower than the OEL whose compliance guarantees a level of protection that does not make it necessary to activate some of the planned actions (replacement and processing in closed systems). At the current state of knowledge, an action level of 0.05 mg / m³ could be indicated.

The recent directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens and mutagens addresses the problem of exposure to crystalline silica.

In view of current scientific knowledge, the directive assigns the role of carcinogen to work processes that generate exposure to crystalline silica in the respirable fraction and not to silica as such. Therefore, this choice does not determine the obligation to classify and label as carcinogenic the products containing more than 0.1% of crystalline silica in the respirable fraction. Considering that the Scientific Committee of Occupational Level defines the silica substance for which a “practical” limit value can be identified, the directive has established an OEL of 0.1 mg / m3. According to the directive, compliance with the limit value does not exempt the application of prevention measures provided for by the directive itself and by national regulations. However, in relation to the available literature data, it is considered possible to identify an action level lower than the OEL whose compliance guarantees a level of protection that does not make it necessary to activate some of the planned actions (replacement and processing in closed systems). At the current state of knowledge, an action level of 0.05 mg / m³ could be indicated.