Japan Identifies 70 Mutagens in Newly Notified and Existing Substances

On Dec 7, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the list of substances determined to cause mutagenic effects, in which 45 are new substances notified under the Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL) and 25 are existing substances. (See references)

So far 831 new substances and 169 existing substances have been recognized as mutagens.

For industrial production and handling of these mutagens, stakeholders should follow the MHLW guidelines to prevent adverse effects on health, including:

1. Taking effective work environment management measures to reduce exposure

2. Work environment monitoring and archiving

3. Occupational health training

4. Communication of such hazard information in the supply chain by labeling and SDS, etc.

5. Keeping record of the employees, summary of their work and assignment and overview of contamination or emergency issues.