Norwegian OAR code: Practical experience and contribution to

reducing solvent exposure

Vemund Digernes

Dept. of HSE Affairs

Federation of Norwegian Industries

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The Norwegian OAR code

• Introduced as a warning label on paints, lacquers and glues in 1970

• Extended in 1982 to other applications and products

• No longer obligatory from 2005 as part of the hazard label

• Still in use as a voluntary information system (on packaging and in MSD-sheets) for certain products and applications

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The Norwegian OAR code

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S 23+

S 38+

S 42+

S 210

R 20

5

OAR experiences and importance

• The OAR system was established as an integrated part of the labelling system

• Integrated in campaigns about the prevention of ”solvent disease”

• Gave indications of content of solvents in products

• Gave safety precautions (safety phrases)

• Stimulated for increased use of PPE

• Used for substitution, very seldom used as an instrument for the assessment of ventilation requirements

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OAR as a tool in the prevention of solvents disease of the brain

• Awareness related to solvents

• Grading of potential risk

• Precautions on the label

Effects?

• Reduced exposure •Decrease in exposure and use of solvent based products

(but the same also in other countries)

• Health Effects•Decrease in number of cases

(but the same also in other countries)

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Number of cases of occupational diseases of the central nervous system

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

Ref. Dr. H.L. Leira, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Trondheim

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Exposure to organic solvents in usaturated polyester applications

ppm

Report 2003: Solvent exposure in Norway (Institute of occupational health, Trondheim)

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Exposures to organic solvents in offset printing

ppm

Report 2003: Solvent exposure in Norway (Institute of occupational health, Trondheim)

10

Exposure to organic solvents in serigraphy (printing)

ppm

Report 2003: Solvent exposure in Norway (Institute of occupational health, Trondheim)

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Exposure to organic solvents in vehicle refinishing (application of coating)

ppm

Report 2003: Solvent exposure in Norway (Institute of occupational health, Trondheim)

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Substitution: The increasing share of waterborne coatings on the Norwegian market

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

%

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Substitutions (examples)

UP-Industry

• Dichloromethane Offset printing

• Toluene , Trichloroethylene • Isopropanol Serigraphy

• Xylen , Toluene , White Spirit • Glykol ethers , • New technology based on UV-colorants Lacquers for cars

• High solid lacquers Water borne systems Building industry

• Water borne systems

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Advantages and disadvantages of the OAR-system

• A very simple system• An established system• Volatility is taken into

account as a risk factor• Focus on solvents

• A very simple system• Not EU-harmonised• Undiscriminate use on ”all”

types of products containing solvents

• Other health hazards are disregarded

• OELs are not of equal standard

• Not applicable for spraying• Conflicting interests

possible with technical applications of paints/lacquers

+ -

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OAR regulations terminated in 2005

• Replaced by a voluntary system (at the level of

individual companies) consisting of:•OAR-information in material safety data sheets, when

appropriate•OAR-information on packaging (not as a part of the

hazard label), when appropriate

• To be ”driven” by market forces

• So far: Different approaches, no reactions from the market

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The OAR system- Opinions of stakeholders

Producers and Importers Negative Not harmonizedNot used according to intentions

Down stream users (application of finished products)

Positive Simple system

Authorities Mixed Not harmonized

Positive effects

Unions Positive Simple system

Institutions (hygiene and occupational medicine)

Mixed Not used according to intentionsUnscientific

Positive effects

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Is there a need for an OAR-system?Development of existing tools as an alternative

Recent improvements•Solvents classified for acute effects on CNS•VOC information (Content of solvents on the label)

Suggested improvements • 3 new risk phrases (low, medium, high volatility)•Criteria for classification of solvents according to long

term effects, and new risk phrases related to this effect •Better information in material safety data sheets:

• Information related to long term effects of solvents• Data and information related to volatility

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Adviceas related to AWARE

• An ”OAR system” (if any) should be strictly limited to relevant products and applications

• The link to OELs of different sources, ages, and quality is a very weak part of the system

• Is the simplification of hazards (1-5) justified?

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