Japan to monitor workers’ exposure to specified chemical substances

On 31 January 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published a draft notification to begin measuring workers’ exposure to 15 specified chemical substances, dust and organic solvents, using personal sampling, under the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA).

Owing to their high toxicity, the specified chemical compounds are subject to preventative actions under the MHLW's Ordinance on Prevention of Risks Due to Specified Chemical Substances.

The Specified Chemical Substances are listed below:

• Benzene
• Acrylonitrile
• Formaldehyde
• Ethylene oxide
• Auramine
• Ortho-toluidine
• Dimethyl sulfate
• Propylene oxide
• Magenta
• Diantimony trioxide
• Dimethyl-2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP)
• Refractory ceramic fiber
• Methyl bromide
• Naphthalene

The changes to ISHA were anticipated to be completed in March 2023, and go into force on 1 October 2023.

In the report “Expert Committee on Chemical Substance Management Financial Year (FY) 2022”, the MHLW also suggested workplace environment concentration standard values (exposure limits) and testing techniques for 67 compounds. Moreover, it lists substances due for assessment in the upcoming financial years. The report was released on 10 February 2023.