HSE RELEASES GUIDANCE ON REDUCING DIOXIN EXPOSURE IN ALUMINIUM RECYCLING

HSE press release - E121:03 11 July 2003

New guidance on reducing exposure to dioxins in aluminium recycling work has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The free guidance leaflet, How to reduce exposure to dioxins in aluminium recycling, explains what dioxins are, how they are formed during metal recycling and how they enter the body. Usefully it points out simple measures which will reduce the potential for their formation and how exposure can be minimised.

This leaflet is in response to the Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances' (ACTS) whose experts recommended that guidance be targeted at industries with the highest potential for dioxin exposure.

The ACTS recommendation followed two HSE sampling surveys at sites across the UK. A range of industry sectors were sampled, but the highest exposures were found during aluminium recycling. As a result ACTS recommended the production of this guidance as one of a range of actions to reduce dioxin exposure from work-related activities.

Dr Colin Davy from HSE's Occupational Hygiene Unit explained: "Although the potential for dioxin formation exists in any combustion process where organic material is burned, minor modifications to work practices can significantly reduce any exposure.

" This guidance, although aimed at aluminium recyclers also contains information relevant to any metal recycler. The information should be useful to employees, employers, trade union representatives and safety representatives. "

Copies of How to reduce exposure to dioxins in aluminium recycling, INDG 377, are available from HSE Books.

Notes to editors

1. The sampling exercise was undertaken in conjunction with the University of Lancaster and the Health and Safety Laboratory in Sheffield. In order to produce an accurate picture neither the industries nor the sites were identified specifically. This was published as research report, Dioxin exposure from work related activities, RR027, ISBN 0 7176 2573 7 price £10.

2. The Health and Safety Commission consulted on a proposal to include dioxins in Schedule 1 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. This was implemented in April 2003 with the changes to COSHH. Occupational exposure to dioxins must now comply with the provisions of the Appendix 1 of the COSHH Approved Code of Practice.

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