Posted By CHRISTOPHER HAYWARD From 17th January 2005 it will be illegal in the EU to manufacture or sell cement which when hydrated contains more than 2ppm of water soluble chromium VI . The thinking is that water soluble chromium above this level significantly affects the risk of allergic dermatitis. Reduction to these levels by chemical trickery (adding a reducing agent) won't make cement any less likely to burn the skin or cause non-allergic dermatitis. The change will be implemented in the UK by an amendment to the COSHH regulations but I think the HSE are still consulting on this. I think they will also alter CHIP 2002 so that the cement will carry a use by date after which the reducing agent may not be effective. I suspect Cement manufacturers will be fully geared up to advise further.

Posted By Charles Robinson Tech SP United Kingdom COSHH The HSC is consulting on several amendments to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 2677). New restrictions are proposed for the supply and use of high chromium VI cement. The restriction is necessary to implement the 26th amendment to the EU marketing and use directive (2003/53/EC) which prohibits the placing on the market and use of cement containing more than two parts per million of soluble hydrated chromium VI. The Directive also requires new labelling rules for cement which will be implemented through the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (CHIP) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 1689). The introduction of the measure was driven by concerns over allergic contact dermatitis through exposure of exposed skin to wet cement. The consultation paper also proposes to extend COSHH and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 2676) to all sea-going merchant ships. In addition, the HSC has proposed to clarify the wording in the COSHH and CLAW Regulations on the duty to maintain exposure control measures and related changes to the associated Approved Codes of Practice. (HSC, March 2004)

Posted By Charles Robinson Tech SP consultation document is available at:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd195.pdf