Oops, you're using an old version of your browser so some of the features on this page may not be displaying properly.

MINIMAL Requirements: Google Chrome 24+Mozilla Firefox 20+Internet Explorer 11Opera 15–18Apple Safari 7SeaMonkey 2.15-2.23

ESMO urges need to prevent new cancer cases by lowering the EU exposure limit to asbestos in letter to Members of the European Parliament

18 Jan 2023

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has reached out to key Members of the European Parliament to underline the need for adopting strict EU limits on occupational exposure to asbestos, which is crucial for preventing cancer cases caused by asbestos.

The European Commission launched a legislative proposal to revise the Asbestos at Work Directive in September 2022. As part of this revision, the Commission proposed to lower the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) to asbestos from the current 100,000 fibres per m3 (0.1 fibres per cm3) to 10,000 fibres per m3 (0.01 fibres per cm3). The Member States of the EU endorsed this new norm at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council held on 8-9 December 2022.

The European Parliament will draft and adopt its position in the coming months. In light of this, and given that asbestos remains a highly carcinogenic substance, ESMO reached out to the lead Rapporteur MEP Véronique Trillet-Lenoir and several Shadow-Rapporteurs to call for the adoption of an even lower limit of 1,000 fibres per m3 (0.001 fibres per cm3). Given that asbestos contributes greatly to work-related cancers in Europe, with 78% of occupational cancers recognized in EU countries being related to asbestos1, it is crucial that this more ambitious legal norm is eventually adopted by the EU legislators.

ESMO stands ready to support the European Parliament and the EU Member States with developing robust EU-wide measures for preventing cancer cases caused by asbestos.

References

  1. European Occupational Diseases Statistics (EODS)

This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.

For more detailed information on the cookies we use, please check our Privacy Policy.

Customise settings
  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and you can only disable them by changing your browser preferences.