The state of The ART

The state of The ART

The IOM is a key partner involved in the development of the Advanced REACH Tool (ART), which provides a system for companies to estimate occupational chemical exposure for the European REACH Regulations.

Advanced REACH Tool (ART)

The REACH Regulations impose a new chemical regulatory régime on suppliers and manufacturers of hazardous chemicals in Europe. They set out requirements for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, which requires suppliers to define a “safe” level of exposure for chemicals in their products and then estimate the exposure of users; if the estimated exposures may produce some adverse health effect then further action is needed to reduce the risks. A major hurdle for those working to comply with the regulations is the widespread absence of reliable data from workplace exposure measurements. ART provides a solution by using a mathematical algorithm to make an estimate of the inhalation exposure during use of the chemicals and, if available, the user can add in exposure data they may have to refine the final estimate.

The development of the ART version 1.0 is complete and the tool is now available on the internet. With this system users are able to assess occupational exposure to dust, vapours and mists for use in connection with REACH. The next release (ART v1.1) is scheduled for release during March 2010 and this version will include exposure to fumes from hot and molten metals.

The ART tool has been developed as a collaborative venture between IOM, TNO in the Netherlands, The British Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) and a number of other European scientists.

The ART is freely available and can be accessed at: http://www.advancedreachtool.com/

For more information about REACH visit our website: http://www.iom-world.org/consulting/reach.php

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