Substitution of hazardous chemicals

Introduction

The risk to human health posed by hazardous chemicals depends on the hazardous properties of the chemical and the likelihood of being exposed. Therefore, the most efficient way to reduce the risk is to eliminate the hazard or the exposure or to reduce it by substituting or replacing them with less dangerous alternatives[1]. Substitution is a general legal requirement for managing occupational safety and health (OSH) in the workplace as set out in the OSH Framework Directive (89/391/EEC)[2] and daughter Directives. In addition, Regulation No 1907/2006 (REACH)[3] sets rules for placing chemicals on the EU market and requires hazard and exposure…