Memo 91: Fourth revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (Acrylonitrile, Nickel compounds, Benzene).

Dear members,

Yesterday, the European Commission has published on the fourth revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive, setting new or revised limit values for three substances:

Acrylonitrile (new limit): a limit value of 1 mg/m³ (0.45 ppm) and a short-term limit exposure value of 4 mg/m³ (1.8 ppm). Application: after four years after entry into force of this Directive.

Nickel compounds (new limit): limit values of 0.01 mg/m³ for the respirable fraction and 0.05 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction. Application: a transitional period until 17 January 2025 inclusive should be introduced during which a limit value of 0.1 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction of the nickel compounds should apply.

Benzene (limit revised downwards): a revised limit value of 0.2 ppm (0.66 mg/m³). Application: after transitional period of 4 years after entry into force of this Directive. However, a transitional limit value of 0.5 ppm (1.65 mg/m³) should apply after 2 years.

As far as we understand, construction workers could be exposed to acrylonitrile and, more limitedly, to benzene.