Challenges in exposure-based prioritisation of substances of very high concern (SVHCs)

Abstract Background Substances of very high concern (SVHCs), causing serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment, are included in the candidate list under the European REACH regulation, awaiting further regulatory processing. There is a need for prioritisation efforts to evaluate hazardous chemicals rapidly and efficiently. Lacking workplace exposure measurements, this paper aimed to evaluate whether it is feasible to make an exposure-based prioritisation of occupationally relevant SVHCs. Exposure surrogates, such as data on product use, production volume and processes, were used to establish exposure profiles among professional workers in the Nordic countries. Results It was challenging to create an exposure-based prioritisation list of SVHCs solely by using publicly available information, mainly due to limited data accessibility in product registers, ECHA Chem and REACH workplace exposure scenarios. Conclusions Limited data accessibility hampers an effective and transparent chemical risk assessment and exposure-based prioritisation of substances that is applicable and useful for regulatory authorities and other stakeholders. To enable a more effective chemical risk assessment and exposure-based prioritisation of substances, exposure data needs to be accessible.