Working conditions
Mutagens
The following substances are listed among mutagens:
- benzene
- epichlorohydrin
- ethylene oxide
- vinyl chloride.
Mutations are permanent changes to the amount or structure of genetic material. In the human body, mutations occur all the time during cell division. Mutagens can, however, accelerate the occurrence of mutations and cause damage to the DNA. Germ cell mutations may lead to hereditary diseases. While not all mutagens are also capable of causing cancer, many of them are. Further information is available on page Risk of cancer.
Employer’s reporting obligations
It is the employer’s duty to report all carcinogenic substances and methods along with the information of employees exposed to mutagens at work to the Finnish register of workers exposed to carcinogens (the ASA Register). Further information is available on page Register of exposed workers.
Mutagens: classification and labelling
Mutagenic substances and mixtures can be identified by the fact that they are classified as category 1A or 1B mutagens under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. These substances and mixtures are also labelled with a hazard statement (H) and a hazard pictogram:
| CLP Regulation H340 May cause genetic defects Danger |
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Substances and mixtures suspected of causing genetic defects are classified as category 2 mutagens under the CLP Regulation. They are also labelled with a hazard statement (H) and a hazard pictogram:
| CLP Regulation H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects Warning |
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