EAPA's Asphalt in Figures 2010 is now available

The European asphalt production figures of 2010 are now available. Next to the production figures of European countries you 
will also many other data, like application data, the use of binders, asphalt mixture types used in surface layers, the use of 
Warm Mix Asphalt, recycling data, the number of asphalt producing companies and the number of asphalt plants in Europe.

Click here to download Asphalt in Figures 2010

New EAPA & Eurobitume Brochure: Asphalt Paving - Fit for tomorrow

           

IARC issues Health Classification for Occupational Exposures during Road Paving

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), based in Lyon, France, issued a statement on 20 October assigning occupational exposures to straight-run bitumens and their emissions during road paving a Group 2B (“possibly carcinogenic to humans”) classification. This Group 2B classification puts road paving in the same category as numerous exposures, including cell phones and coffee.

EAPA, with its colleagues in North America, the National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA), and in the bitumen industries on both sides of the Atlantic, underwrote a series of studies that were designed and led by IARC over the last ten years or so.  None of these studies reported any direct link between bitumens used in road paving and the onset of cancer in the workforce. However, with health and safety being the highest priority for the industry and its employees, EAPA will continue to work with all its stakeholders towards reducing emissions of all sorts, so as to minimise any possible irritation or other impacts from them.

IARC, which brings together international panels of scientists, is based in Lyon, France. Its assessments go to national health agencies for possible guidance. IARC has reviewed more than 900 chemicals and other agents since its founding in 1971. IARC categorizes chemicals, agents, mixtures and exposures.

To put this classification into proper context, it is worth quoting Dr. Jim Melius, PHD, MD, the top occupational physician at the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA): “People working in the asphalt paving industry should not be concerned about this new IARC classification. The two key animal studies on paving asphalt did not show any evidence of cancer risk, and the major IARC cancer study of people working in the paving industry in Europe did not show any increased risk for cancer.”

The Asphalt Paving Industry: A Global Perspective

NAPA and EAPA have published the Second Edition of The Asphalt Paving Industry: A Global Perspective.

This joint publication gives the reader an overview of the world’s asphalt pavement industry. It provides a description of the industry, its scope, and its economic impact. The document includes chemical and physical data about asphalt pavement material, describes asphalt mixing plants and explains how transport and placement of asphalt mixes is accomplished. In addition, it discusses bitumen fume exposure and measures that have been taken to reduce exposure including engineering controls and warm-mix asphalt.

This publication can be downloaded from “STATEMENTS AND POSITION PAPERS” under “Publications”.

Manifesto of the European Construction Forum launched in the European Parliament

The European Construction Forum's newly published "Manifesto" for construction waslaunched at a reception in the European Parliament on 17th November, attended by the President of EAPA - Alan Mackenzie - Simon van der Byl and Ingke Wiese and was hosted by Fiona Hall MEP, a British Liberal MEP from the north east of England. A key guest from the Commission was the Chef de Cabinet of Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, Mr Mattei Pellegrini (seen in the photo addressing the audience in the Parliament building in Brussels), who spoke positively about the contribution of construction to the European economy and the need to invest in infrastructure. EAPA was very much a leading light in the Forum, stressing the advantages of, and need for proper transport infrastructure and the role of road networks in this regard. On completion of the official launch the Presidents and Secretaries General of the ECF member Associations met at CEMBUREAU’s offices to discuss the way forward and exchange notes about their own industries.  This was the first occasion on which such a gathering has been held and all found it a most worthwhile and valuable meeting. As EAPA Secretary General Simon van der Byl mentioned in the email sent to all members at the end of November, this is just the start of a process - a foot in the door, as it were - and any comments you may have on both the manifesto and the process are very much welcomed. It reflects, however, Simon’s long held view that EAPA carries more political weight in alliances with other like-minded organisations than it ever could on its own, except in very specialised circumstances.

The press release of the event can be found here

If you want to get further information on the manifesto, the ECF in general and EAPA's involvement please go to www.ecf.be