Carcinogenic-mutagenic-reprotoxic risks / REACH
Carcinogenic agents (or carcinogens)
Carcinogens are substances or factors that can cause or increase the risk of cancer. They can be chemicals, radiation, viruses or environmental factors. Carcinogens can be classified according to their ability to cause cancer.
Mutagenic agents (or mutagens)
Mutagens are physical, chemical or biological agents that can cause mutations in living organisms' DNA. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can cause changes in the organism's characteristics, including the risk of developing cancer or other diseases.
Examples of mutagens include ionising radiation, carcinogenic chemicals, certain viruses and certain medicinal products.
It is important to note that not all mutations are harmful and that some can even be beneficial for organisms. However, the mutations caused by mutagens can increase the risk of diseases and health problems, which makes identifying and controlling them a matter of public health.
Reprotoxic substances
A reprotoxic substance is a chemical substance that can have harmful effects on human or animal reproduction. This includes effects on fertility and on embryo or foetal development.
Reprotoxic effects can vary depending on the dose, exposure time and stage of pregnancy. Some reprotoxic substances can cause congenital malformations, miscarriage, growth retardation, hormonal problems and cancers.
Reprotoxic substances may be present in a variety of products, such as industrial chemicals, pesticides, medicinal products, cosmetics and consumer products.
The reason for classifying substances in this category is to protect pregnant and breastfeeding women, and men and women of reproductive age.
Limit values
Limit values are levels of exposure that are considered safe for workers exposed to these substances.
In Europe, Occupational Exposure Limit Values (OELVs) for carcinogens and mutagens are governed by European Directive 2004/37/EC. This Directive sets limit values for over 50 substances, such as benzene, lead, asbestos, trichloroethylene, cadmium, etc. These limit values are determined according to the toxicity of each substance, and are expressed as concentrations in air (in milligrams per cubic metre), or as daily doses (in milligrams per kilogram of body weight).
These limit values are regularly revised based on scientific advancements, and are intended to protect the health of workers exposed to these substances.
REACH
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals. It is a European Union (EU) Regulation that seeks to improve the protection of human health and the environment against the risks associated with chemicals, while at the same time maintaining the competitiveness and reinforcing the spirit of innovation of the European chemicals industry.
Under REACH, companies that manufacture chemical substances in the EU, or import them into the EU, must register them with the European CHemicals Agency (ECHA). The aim of the registration process is to collect information on the properties and use of chemicals, and to assess the risks associated with their use.
REACH also imposes restrictions on the use of certain chemicals, depending on how dangerous they are, and requires companies to obtain a special authorisation to use certain chemicals that are of particular concern.
Occupational physicians are responsible for assessing workstation risks associated with the use of hazardous or toxic products. They make recommendations to employers. They monitor the health of the employees concerned, based on the risks associated with the workstation.
CLP
CLP stands for 'Classification, Labelling, Packaging'.
It is a European (EC) Regulation that entered into force on 20 January 2009 and aligns former EU legislation with the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals), a system put in place by the United Nations to identify hazardous chemicals and inform users about the dangers. It is also related to the REACH Regulation. It seeks to ensure effective protection for human health and the environment.
The dangers posed by chemicals are communicated through warning notices and pictograms on labels and safety data sheets. New pictograms in red boxes have replaced the old orange hazard symbols.
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