Occupational exposure to numerous individual chemicals has been associated with olfactory dysfunction, mainly in individual case descriptions. Comprehensive epidemiological investigations into the olfactotoxic effect of working substances show that the human sense of smell may be impaired by exposure to metal compounds involving cadmium, chromium and nickel, and to formaldehyde. This conclusion is supported by the results of animal experiments. The level of evidence for a relationship between olfactory dysfunction and workplace exposure to other substances is relatively weak.

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A recent decision of the German Committee on Hazardous Substances (AGS) not to establish an occupational exposure limit for vapors and aerosols emitted by hot mastic asphalt was tied to an industry commitment that all mastic asphalt workers would be intensively screened medically so that technical or personal protection measures can be promptly put in place to reduce occupational exposure. In the meantime, almost 80% of all active mastic asphalt workers in Germany have been examined and questioned about work-associated health complaints. The results of this comprehensive survey of mastic asphalt workers compared to a parallel unexposed control cohort indicate significant irritation of the breathing airways and itching eyes. The survey has furthermore indicated that more individuals from the exposed cohort suffered from health restrictions, as diagnosed by their physicians. The investigation has provided a general view and is considered to be a basis for more detailed examinations.

„Streit um giftige Asphalt-Dämpfe“ titelte eine auflagenstarke Gazette Ende 2019. Eine seriösere überregionale Tageszeitung aus dem Hessischen befürchtete: „Der Straßenbau droht gestoppt zu werden“. Die imminente Pflicht zur Nachrüstung von „Teermaschinen“, die pro Gerät eine halbe Million kosten solle, wurde von einem Wochenmagazin problematisiert, wobei von einem „Brandbrief“ der Bauwirtschaft die Rede war. Hintergrund der Debatte ist der neue deutsche Arbeitsplatzgrenzwert für Dämpfe und Aerosole aus Bitumen bei der Heißverarbeitung.

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