Standards Development

Scope

This document describes a framework introducing the approaches that can be applied to assess the risks linked to dermal exposure to chemical substances in the workplace. It provides guidance on the different steps to be taken when performing qualitative and quantitative dermal exposure assessments.

These assessments can be used for various purposes, such as:

— For the evaluation of exposure processes and pathways, in view of the human interface with workplace processes;

— For the evaluation of control measures or interventions for effectiveness of exposure reduction;

— For risk assessment, identifying hazardous agents that exhibit local effects and/or systemic health effects;

— For compliance purposes, where results are compared with existing or new established dermal OELVs;

— For epidemiological studies, requiring estimates of relevant exposure parameters.

NOTE Ocular and mucous membranes exposure, biological agents, wet work and mechanical stressors are outside the scope of this document.

It is acknowledged that in practice, other pathways like inhalation or ingestion are considered as well.

There is a relationship between skin contamination and inadvertent ingestion.