Abstract

People may be exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace. For some substances, there is no safe lower limit. This means that even very low concentrations of these substances can have an impact on health.

Therefore, a certain level of risk is accepted for these substances when exposure occurs at work. This is known as the risk-based approach. Based on the exposure concentration associated with the accepted risk and the feasibility of this concentration for companies, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment sets a public occupational exposure limit. These limit values are listed in the Working Conditions Regulation.

In this knowledge note, RIVM provides an overview of the risks associated with the currently applicable public limit values for the workplace in the Netherlands.

For these substances, the number of additional cases of illness resulting from exposure at the limit value has been calculated. This is referred to as the residual risk. For 15 carcinogenic substances, the residual risk is higher than the accepted risk. For all allergens, the residual risk is higher than the accepted risk.

This overview helps determine what follow-up steps can be taken to reduce the risks. RIVM conducted this study on behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.