Elimination of trichloroethylene in asphalt quality control laboratories

Type of measure: Substitution

Trichloroethylene is used in quality control laboratories to determine the amount of bitumen in asphalt mixtures. Bitumen is a hazardous substance whose elimination or substitution by a less dangerous chemical is a health and safety priority. The elimination of trichloroethylene from the process is carried out through a small muffle furnace that burns the asphalt mix at the temperature of evaporation for bitumen. This procedure facilitates the calculation of bitumen percentage in the mix based on the weight difference.

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Published July 26, 2023

Please note that this substance or some of it's compounds are listed in Annex XIV (REACH regulation). This substance some of it's compounds are only allowed to be used, imported, or brought into the market, if authorisation requirements of REACH are fulfilled.

Please be aware that for this carcinogen you need to be more cautious when determining potential skin contact and how to regard dermal exposure in your risk reduction strategy.

Relevance

Carcinogens involved:
Trichloroethylene

Sector(s) involved:
Human health and social work activities
Professional
Scientific and technical activities

About this case

Company:

Laboratorios de Control de Calidad de la Consejería de Fomento de Castilla y León

Country:
Spain

For more information please contact:

SUBSPORTplus Team

[email protected]

General facts

Facts about cancer-causing agents:

The direct costs of carcinogen exposure at work across Europe are estimated at 2.4 billion Euros per year.
Every year, about 120.000 persons get cancer from exposure to carcinogens at work
Annually more than 100.000 people die because of work-related cancer.

Elimination of trichloroethylene in asphalt quality control laboratories

Elimination of trichloroethylene in asphalt quality control laboratories

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