VOLUNTARY EU RISK ASSESSMENT FOR LEAD
Challenges and Opportunities for the Crystal Industry
Craig Boreiko
Waterford, Ireland
October 2002
TOPICS
Why a voluntary effort? Components of Official RARs The Voluntary Lead Effort Issues for the Crystal Industry
RECENT LEAD RESTRICTIONS
EU directives end–of–life vehicles waste electrical and electronic equipment construction and demolition waste
Danish lead ban
COMMON THEME
No sound science out of date information no assessment of risks
Product restrictions implemented with no demonstrable benefit
WHY A VOLUNTARY RISK ASSESSMENT?
Growing number of restrictions No sound science No prospect of official risk assessment
EU RISK ASSESSMENT
Systematic Assessment of risks for Human Health & Environment
>10,000 substances….4 priority lists Links to EU Risk Management, e.g.
Water Framework Directive Marketing & Use Directive (EU 76/769)
Technical Guidance Document Rapporteur Technical Meeting (TM) of EU Member States
EU RISK ASSESSMENT Establishes classification (eg CMR) For human health it evaluates risk
From occupational exposure For consumer exposure From indirect exposure via environment
Assesses risk from production and use upon water sediment and soil compartments Local impacts Regional impacts
EU RISK ASSESSMENT
Three potential outcomes possible: Conclusion i: Need additional
information Conclusion ii: No risk Conclusion iii: Potential risk and risk
reduction needs.
A NEW APPROACH
Established EU RAR procedure but no provision for voluntary approach
Key issue – credibility
Extensive discussions with European Commission and Member States
Agreement reached December 2001
POLITICAL AGREEMENT
Agreement reached between European Commission (DG Enterprise &
DG Environment) European Chemicals Bureau Dutch Government other Member States
INDUSTRY
LDA International Overall project management Collect industry data on occupational
exposure / environmental emissions
REVIEWING COUNTRY
The Netherlands Monitors entire process on behalf of all
EU Member States Review methods & draft RARs Keep other Member States informed
INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC REVIEW PANELS
Environment Prof Colin Janssen (University of Ghent) Prof Steve McGrath (Rothampstead Institute) Prof Dominic Di Toro (Manhattan College) Dr Rene Korenromp (TNO)
INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC REVIEW PANELS
Health Prof. Bob Goyer (ex-University of Western
Ontario) Dr Marjorie Smith (University of London) Dr Lars Gerhardsson (University Hospital, Lund) Dr. Gerhard Winneke (Heinrich-Heine
University) Dr. Harry Roels (University of Louvain)
INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS
Environment Dr Patrick Van Sprang (EURAS, Belgium) Prof Erik Smolders (University of Leuven, Belgium)
Health Dr Craig Boreiko (ILZRO, USA) Dr Rodger Battersby (EBRC, Germany)
Plastics - windows - pipes - cables
Pb (metal)
Glass - crystal - TVs, monitorsCeramics - tableware
CablesSheet - roofing - shieldingSolders - electronicsAlloys - vehiclesShot - shooting
Pb stabilisersPbO, Pb3O4
Batteries - vehicles - industrial - motive
ElectronicsGasolinePaints
Other compounds
SCOPE
OVERALL TIMETABLE
Jan-April 2002 draft lit. review & methods paper
May-July 2002 review proposals
July 2002 – Sept 2003 draft RARs
Oct – Nov 2003 review draft RARs
Dec 2003- Sept 2004 2nd draft RARs
Oct-Nov 2004 review 2nd draft RAR
Dec 2004 completion of RA
PRIMARY HEALTH ISSUES OF CONCERN
Lead Specific Endpoints Neurobehavioral (pediatric) Male and Female Reproduction (occupational) Neuropsychological (occupational) Blood pressure (general population)
PRIMARY AT-RISK GROUPS
Children to age 6 Workers (male and female) Women of child bearing age in general
population?
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
Data collection: questionnaires tailored to each industry
(site inspections, workplace descriptions) medical surveillance and exposure values published reviews/assessments
CONSUMER EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
Screening of published data Collection of industry data Determination of relevant exposure
pathways/consumer products Historical vs. current situation
INDIRECT EXPOSURE VIA ENVIRONMENT
Interaction with ENV RA:1) Regional and local concentrations for soil,
water air provided from single source2) Dietary intake (predominate for adults)3) Soil/dust exposure (predominate for
children)4) Long-term environmental loading
CRYSTAL INDUSTRY INPUT
Assist in questionnaire development Contribute occupational exposure data Contribute environmental emissions data Provide material flow information Help address “end of life” and recycling
issue
CONSUMER EXPOSURE
Key issue for the crystal industry Provide data on consumer use patterns Define performance of modern product Help establish consumer exposure profile