Differences in national legislation for the implementation of lead regulations included in the European directive for the protection of the health and safety of workers with occupational exposure to chemical agents (98/24/EC)

Abstract

The results of this survey suggest that protection of workers against the risk of exposure to lead at work is far from uniform across the European Union. Such disparity may also have implications on the requirements set at national level for laboratories measuring lead in blood and/or air. In the interest of harmonisation within the EU, further consideration should be given to the Annex II of the EC Directive 98/24, taking into account the suggestions for lower binding limit values for lead; this should include full guidelines for medical surveillance and requirements for laboratories should be issued.

Lead poisoning in children from townships in the vicinity of a lead–zinc mine in Kabwe, Zambia

“…Moreover, BLLs in the current study were higher than mean BLLs (16.38 µg/dL) in children in the vicinity of Pb mines and sheltering plants in China (Lin et al 2011). When compared to most European countries where the median BLL in the general population is below 5 µg/dL (Taylor et al 2007), it is evident from the current study that levels of Pb poisoning in Kabwe, Zambia are alarming.…”

The Development of EU Law in the Field of Occupational Health and Safety: A New Way of Thinking

“…Directive 98/24 on the protection of health and safety of workers exposed to chemical agents sets out provisions for environmental and biological monitoring, making specific reference to binding limit values and health surveillance measures for those exposed to lead (Taylor et al, 2007). It stipulates minimum requirements for the protection of workers from risks arising from certain hazardous chemical agents (Engels, 2013, p. 181).…”

Potential Health Risks to DOD Firing-Range Personnel from Recurrent Lead Exposure

“…Medical surveillance is indicated if a worker is exposed to lead at 0.075 mg/m 3 (TWA over a 40-h week) or if a worker's BLL is over 40 µg/dL. Taylor et al (2007) conducted a survey of how the directive has been implemented in 14 EU countries and found disparities in its implementation. Most of the countries have implemented the binding occupational exposure limit for lead, but five countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, and Poland) have set lower limits.…”