Establishing an occupational exposure limit for hexavalent chromium in the European Union

A Criteria Document for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], currently under preparation at the Institute of Occupational Health, University of Birmingham, is intended for use in setting an occupational exposure limit (OEL) for Cr(VI) in the European Union (EU). The requirement for establishing OELs, specifically known as indicative limit values, in the EU is set out in Council Directive 80/1107/EEC, amended by Council Directive 88/642/EEC. To facilitate this procedure the Commission has set up a Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents. The Committee, which is composed of independent scientific experts from member states, is responsible for reviewing available scientific data. A Criteria Document forms the basis of the scientific data considered during this process and contains an up-to-date, critical evaluation of available information which is relevant to setting an exposure limit. After consideration of the scientific data for a particular substance, the Committee advises the Commission on setting a health-based OEL. Consideration of other questions such as technical matters and socioeconomic issues occurs during later stages of the procedure, before an OEL is finally adopted. The procedure allows for consultation with interested parties. The Criteria Document for Cr(VI) contains sections on substance identification, chemical and physical properties, production and use data, recent data on occupational exposure, current methods for measurement and analysis, and toxicology. The toxicology section contains a critical evaluation of both human and animal data and forms a major part of the document. This section enables identification of critical health effects associated with exposure to Cr(VI) and consideration of dose-response relationships and provides the basis for any risk assessment and recommendation for an OEL.