1 Protection of the workers Chemical Agens

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Protection of the workers Chemical Agens Directive 98/24/EC Carcinogens Directive 2004/37/EC Safety Data Sheet 91/155/EEC Classification and labelling 67/548/EEC MAL-code Restrictions 76/769/EEC 2

Example of Code number for water based acrylic paint where no specific precautions are required except gloves when using a brush 3

History of the MAL-Code (1) • 1967: Regulations on paint work - products differentiated in 4 groups. Co-operation between authorities, painters, paint contractors and the paint industry. • 1971 -1972: Reports from co-operations between workers/trade unions and students. Suitable waterborne paints for walls / ceilings • 1973: Regulations on paint work revised. Code numbers and safety precautions. • 1976: The Danish authorities recognise the existence of OPS • 1978: Regulations on paint work revised. Gas filter mask 4 demanded in work with alkyd paints.

History of the Male-code (2) • 1982: Regulations on paint work revised: –prohibitions (e. g. alkyd paints on ceilings) –how to choose products (substitution) –training of painters Waterborne high quality products occurs, e. g. enamels, wood preservative and sealing products • 1993: Regulations on paint work revised. The graphic industry and industrial painting are included. Solvent free waterborne paints for ceilings and walls occur around 1990. • 2000: A system is developed that helps pregnant painters to work during pregnancy 5

Consumption of waterborne paints 1966 -1984 6

Notified cases of CNS-effects (acute and chronic) due to exposure from organic solvents 7

Notified cases of chronic- and acute CNS effect after exposure to organic solvents 8

MAL-code / Code numbers • The code number for a product is two 2 -1 numbers joined with a hyphen and the 1993 year of the last order, e. g. • The importer, manufacturer or supplier shall determine the code number. It must be given in writing, e. g. stated conspicuously on the packaging, and stated in the SDS. • Code numbers are determined from a list of values for chemicals given by the authorities. 9

The code number is the basis for: • Risk reduction measures/Prohibitions • Selection of the least hazardous product for a process (substitution) • Choosing the right Safety Precautions (PPE) 10

The number before the hyphen 11

The number before the hyphen Examples • 00 - Water based acrylic paint • 2 - White spirit based paint • 3 - Pure white spirit • 4 - Pure acetone • 5 - Pure toluene or methylene chloride 12

The number before the hyphen Limitations in use/prohibition • Indoor: 1 - big load 2 - wet rooms • Out door: ceiling/wall 3 - wood preservative 3 - 13

The number after the hyphen 14

Examples • Phosphoric Acid 00 -1 • Ethanol 2 -1 • White Spirit 3 -1 • Toluene 5 -3 • Epoxy glue, ready for use 3 -5 • Isocyanate lacquer, ready for use 3 -3 • White spirit based paint 2 -1 15

Notes 1: Gloves (-1 & -2) 2. Face shield / protective clothing – only dirty work 4. Half face mask / shield 5. Low boiling solvents 6. Rooms with inadaquate ventilation – gas filter mask / ventilation 16

Status 2006 • Waterborne, low solvent products are predominant in house painting: (for professional use close to 100%, for private consumers 95% indoor and 50% outdoor) • Painters do seldom complain • Pregnant painters are able to work • OPS from solvents are history in Denmark • Danish painters and paint industry support the Code-number system 17

MAL-code is one initiative out of several • Support from industry and social partners • Focus on organic solvents in general • Separate regulation on organic solvents 18

Next step: Solvents in Risk Groups Risk group 1: 1, 2 < log. Po, v and 4, 0 mm. Hg < Pwap Ex. : n-heptan, p-xylen, tetrachloroethen Risk group 2: 1, 2 < log. Po, v and 4, 0 mm. Hg > Pwap 0, 5 < log. Po, v < 1, 2 0, 1 < log. Po, v < 0, 5 4, 0 mm. Hg < Pwap or or and Ex. : Cyclohexanon, tetrahydrofuran, n-butanol Risk group 3: 0, 1 < log. Po, v < 0, 5 and 4, 0 mm. Hg < Pwap Ex. : Ethanol, acetone 19

Thank you for your attention! 20