WRITTEN QUESTION P-0216/03

by Giorgio Celli (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(27 January 2003)

Subject: Aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatics (IPA) in asphalts

Aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatics (IPA) pose a constant and widespread threat to the environment and public health. It is now established that most IPAs are carcinogenic. The concentration of IPAs in urban areas in particular, generally attributed to the combustion of diesel engines, could also have other origins which have not yet been fully researched. This is because bitumens and their derivatives contain varying amounts of IPAs; the quantities are definitely not negligible and may even amount to a number of percentage points(1). Furthermore, bitumens also contain not negligible quantities of heterocyclic polycondensated hydrocarbons. One risk factor is the possibility that IPAs and similar substances may be released into the atmosphere from the road surface, either when it is being laid or subsequently, thus contributing to pollution of the troposphere and, probably, of the groundwater. Their removal from asphalts would undoubtedly be useful given that one estimate, obviously approximate, puts the amount of IPAs at 4 kg per kilometre of urban road.

When asphalt is being laid, the area concerned has a quantity of benzene (and presumably of alkil benzene) up to three times that usually present when asphalting is not being carried out.

Although the monitoring of air in urban areas for IPA pollutants is starting to be looked at closely (but probably through partial sampling, which means that only IPAs from fine dust are being analysed), little is being done to find out whether or not urban roads and roads outside towns are, per se, potential sources of emissions of IPAs or other pollutants.

What is the Commission doing to study the environmental risk inherent in the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatics in asphalts?

Is the Commission looking into the possibility of removing such hydrocarbons from asphalts?

(1) F. del Manso, La Rivista dei Combustibili (Fuel review) 1996, 50, 103 and reference in bibliography: R. Vaccari, Dissertation, Industrial Chemical Faculty, University of Bologna, 2001-2002.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2003)

The Commission is aware of the carcinogenic nature of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and that they might cause a health risk to the general population and to workers at work.

To protect human health, Council Directive 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and management(1) foresees to regulate among other pollutants benzene and PAH. Directive 2000/69/EC(2) requires that ambient air concentrations of benzene should not exceed 5 nanogram per cubic metre (ng/m3) from the year 2010 onwards. Member States are required to set up a monitoring network for benzene and to report ambient air concentrations from 2004 on to the public and the Commission. A proposal for a Directive on PAH in ambient air is on the Commission Work Programme for 2003. Emissions from road traffic, from domestic heating and from cokeries seem to be the major sources of PAH. High PAH concentrations caused by the use of bitumen for laying asphalt would only occur for short time periods, i.e. for less than a day. The resulting short-term exposure of the population does not significantly contribute to their total lifetime exposure, so the risk of contracting cancer is very limited.

Article 6 of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work(3), obliges employers to evaluate the risks to the safety and health of workers, and, in its Article 9, the obligation on employers of being in possession of an assessment of the risks to safety and health at work and deciding on the protective measures to be taken. Moreover, Council Directive 98/24/CE of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work(4), in its Article 4, establishes that in the case of activities involving exposure to several hazardous chemical agents, the risk shall be assessed on the basis of the risk presented by all such chemical agents in combination.

Regarding carcinogenic agents, Council Directive 90/394/EEC of 28 June 1990(5) as amended by Council Directive 97/42/EC of 27 June 1997(6) and Council Directive 1999/38/EC of 29 April 1999 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work and extending it to nitagens(7) states, in its Article 4, that the employer shall reduce the use of a carcinogen at the place of work, in particular by replacing it, in so far as is technically possible, by a substance, preparation or process which, under its conditions of use, is not dangerous or is less dangerous to workers' health or safety. The same Directive points out, in its Article 5, that where the results of the risk assessment reveal a risk to workers' health or safety, workers' exposure must be prevented. In addition, Council Directive 90/394/EEC in its last amendment by Council Directive 1999/38/EC establishes an occupational exposure limit value for benzene of 3,25 milligram(mg)/m3 or 1 part per million (ppm). As transitional measure, a limit value of 9,75 mg/m3 or 3 ppm is accepted until 27 June 2003.

The Commission feels that the legislation on PAH in force and under preparation ensures sufficient protection to human health.

(1) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.

(2) OJ L 313, 13.12.2000.

(3) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.

(4) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.

(5) OJ L 196, 26.7.1990.

(6) OJ L 179, 8.7.1997.

(7) OJ L 138, 1.6.1999.