Re-evaluation of hazard classifications and exposure limits for lead – An example for an advanced mode of operation within the MAK commission during COVID-19 restrictions

Introduction: The Permanent Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (MAK Commission) was founded in 1955 to evaluate hazards and exposure limits (MAK values) and to counsel the German authorities of occupational health and safety prevention. Since then, tasks, evaluation concepts, communication processes and operating structure advanced continuously. Material and Methods: Today, the structure of the commission consists of four core groups (“MAK”, “BAT”, “Air monitoring”, “Biomonitoring”), accompanied by four working groups for the assessment of specific compound groups, four working groups for specific classifications, three working groups for adverse outcome pathways and epidemiology, as well as ad-hoc working groups for current issues. The mode of operation and interworking between the working groups and the changeover to online communication processes is demonstrated using the recent evaluation of lead. Results: In the period September 2020 - February 2021 the MAK commission performed a complete re-evaluation of lead. Coordinated by the core groups “MAK” and “BAT”, accompanied by the subgroups “Lead”, “Carcinogenesis”, “Developmental toxicology” and “Neurotoxicity”, the MAK Commission classified lead and its inorganic compounds as category 4 carcinogens and in pregnancy risk group A and set new BAT and MAK values. Conclusion: The extremely efficient workflow of the reevaluation of hazard classifications and exposure limits was crucially supported by the new online communication processes which was pushed by the COVID-19 restrictions.