Endocrine disruptors in the workplace

The world of work is also affected by endocrine disruptors (EDs). They are used, for example, in the manufacture of pesticides, plastics and other chemical products; these include products for professional use, such as during crop spraying, and cosmetics. Certain disinfectants used in healthcare also contain substances that are considered to be endocrine, as do a range of pharmaceuticals and laboratory chemicals. Some metals used in industry have been identified as endocrine active substances. Consideration must also be given to the possibility of endocrine disruptors being produced and released during certain work processes: for example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during incomplete combustion processes.

Risk assessment

Whether exposure to EDs is possible at a particular workplace must be determined as part of the risk assessment, which is conducted with the aid of the information provided by the manufacturer/distributor on the hazards associated with the substance and product. Users are made aware of these hazards through the classification and labelling information required by the CLP Regulation. This information can be found on the product packaging and on the associated safety data sheet. H statements are familiar and warn of specific hazards: these include physical hazards (H200 to H290), health hazards (H300 to H373) and environmental hazards (H400 to H420). However, substances that may be produced during processing of the substance/product are not considered.

Introduction of the new hazard classes has also resulted in the availability of EUH phrases indicating that the substance/product has been classified as an endocrine disruptor. The new classifications currently apply within the EU’s jurisdiction; it is still unclear whether they will be adopted in the GHS. For this reason, the new classifications have EUH statements (CLP only) rather than H statements (GHS) (refer to the Regulatory provisions sub-page). Labels with the corresponding safety information in the form of P statements (see New labels) must also be observed.

It will be difficult, however, not least owing to the transition periods and the resulting initial absence of labelling, for those responsible in companies to identify for themselves in the immediate future the substances and products that are generally recognised as EDs and for which special protective measures are necessary owing to their endocrine effects.

Protective measures

As a general rule, if direct contact with hazardous substances and the take-up of chemical substances by workers through the skin (dermal absorption) or by inhalation is prevented, the chemicals do not have a harmful effect on these workers. This applies to all conventional hazards posed by working materials, and to the effects of (potential) endocrine disruptors. Oral intake is not usually a factor in the workplace. The best protection against these substances is observance at all workplaces of the customary protective measures in the sector concerned.

Among other bodies, the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions have developed guidance for many workplaces in specific sectors and activities. One example is the sectoral rules in the body of DGUV regulations. These comprehensive risk assessments examine specific activities in a sector and describe the protective measures required. The sectoral guides are based on the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) 400 (concerning risk assessment for activities involving hazardous substances), TRGS 401 (risks resulting from skin contact – identification, assessment, measures) and TRGS 402 (determining and assessing the hazards associated with activities involving hazardous substances: inhalative exposure). The protective measures described in these sources, together with those stated in the TRGS 500 series (protective measures for activities involving hazardous substances) can be used in the company risk assessment as a preliminary source of information for the safe design of specific workplaces/activities. Compliance with these measures ensures that the protective measures for workers are sufficient in accordance with the current state of knowledge.

It is important that where a threshold mechanism exists for specific substances, the corresponding atmospheric limit values are observed. Determination of a limit value requires all toxicological endpoints of a substance to be considered, such as irritation and neurotoxic effect. A limit value must be based on the "critical effect", i.e. the harmful effect upon health that is observed at the lowest concentration. Other effects occur only at higher concentrations. By taking the most sensitive health effect as the starting point for the setting of limit values, the intention is to ensure that compliance with occupational exposure limits also ensures protection against endocrine effects.

No nationally binding limits for dermal exposure exist. It is important that dermal contact with chemicals be avoided, by means of technical protective measures (automatic dispensers, work equipment, etc.) or by the wearing of personal protective equipment (protective gloves and other chemical protective clothing). This applies to all hazards.

During the assessment of workplaces of relevance to endocrine active substances, particular consideration must be given to pregnant women, nursing women and young people. These workers (and the child in the womb), in particular, must be protected against exposure, owing to the possible reproductive or developmental effects of certain EDs.

In the majority of cases, the harmful effects of endocrine disruptors are already addressed by these substances’ assignment to the hazard classes of carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity or specific target organ toxicity. It is not therefore anticipated at present that further protective measures will be considered necessary for these substances as a consequence of the new additional ED HH classification. However, with regard to occupational medical and toxicological consulting conducted during annual instruction or additional instruction following a change in classification, particular attention must be paid to these substances, and their specific mode of action must also be explained. Classification by the supplier and/or the EU requires amendments to risk assessments, operating procedures and the register of hazardous substances.