Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92000E2831

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-2831/00 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission. Warner Jenkinson Europa, Oldmeadow Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LA.** 
  
*Official Journal 151 E , 22/05/2001 P. 0019 - 0019*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2831/00

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(6 September 2000)

Subject: Warner Jenkinson Europa, Oldmeadow Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LA

This company has a plant within my constituency and used dimethyl sulphate (DMS) in the manufacture of its hair dye products, I understand that a risk assessment is currently being carried out on this particular chemical, and I should like to know what progress has been made to date and what is the possible outcome of the assessment on this particular chemical.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Dimethyl sulphate (DMS) is the subject of a risk assessment under Council Regulation (EEC) no 793/93 of 23 March 1993, on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances(1). The discussions on the risk assessment report (RAR) have been finalised by the group of Member State technical experts and the scientific committee on toxicity, ecotoxicity and the environment (CSTEE) has delivered an opinion on the quality of the RAR.

For the environment the opinion of the CSTEE concurs with the conclusions of the RAR in spite of some limitations with its information database.

For human health the CSTEE also generally agrees with the conclusions in the RAR in spite of some limited disagreement on certain aspects (e.g. proposed classification of DMS only as a skin sensitiser, quantitative cancer risk assessment, risk characterisation of reproductive toxicity and the proposal in the RAR for occupational exposure limit values).

The RAR is scheduled to be published by the Commission Joint research centre (JRC) in the beginning of 2001.

The RAR has determined that DMS is mainly used as an intermediate and methylating agent in the production of many organic chemicals (dyes, perfumes and pharmaceuticals). Other uses reported are as a sulphating agent in the manufacturing of various products (e.g. dyes, fabric softeners).

The outcome of the RAR for workers is that there is a concern for respiratory tract irritation, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity as a consequence of inhalation exposure arising from production, processing and the use of DMS. Furthermore, a concern for adverse health effects as a consequence of repeated inhalation exposure to the pregnant worker arising from the use of DMS as an intermediate has been identified. There is no need for immediate action in relation to consumers or man exposed to DMS via the environment. In addition, the RAR shows that environmental risks are not expected.

Where unacceptable risks are identified the Commission will consider risk reduction measures, as appropriate, in those areas where concerns have been indicated.

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993.

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