EU proposes better workers' protection from cancer-causing chemicals

To better protect workers from carcinogenic chemicals, the European Commission proposed changes on Friday to limit exposure to 13 cancer-causing chemicals in the workplace.

Cancer is the primary cause of work-related deaths in the European Union (EU), making up 53 percent of all deaths, and therefore the single biggest health risk to workers in the EU, according to the Commission.

"Cancer has an enormous impact on workers, their families, industry and society. With this proposal, we will save 100,000 lives in the next 50 years," said Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for employment, social affairs, skills and labor mobility.

Concretely, the Commission said it would address exposure to 13 cancer-causing chemicals by including new or amended limit values in its Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive.

These limit values set a maximum concentration for the presence of a chemical carcinogen in the workplace air.

Introducing these limit values would lead to fewer cases of occupational cancer, said the Commission.

In addition, EU limit values promote consistency by defining a "level playing field" and a common objective for employers, workers and enforcement authorities, which leads to a more efficient system of workers' health protection.

The proposal is based on broad discussions with scientists, employers, workers, member states' representatives and labor inspectors, said the Commission.