GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name:Toluene
CAS:108-88-3

Result:
ID: 45
Classifier: Inter-ministerial Committee on GHS
Year Classified: FY2006
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Manual (10 Feb, 2006)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not applicable - - - - Containing no atom groups with explosive properties
2 Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
6 Flammable liquids Category 2 Danger H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour P303+P361+P353: IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
P370+P378: In case of fire: Use ... for extinction.
P403+P235: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
P233: Keep container tightly closed.
P240: Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.
P241: Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/.../equipment.
P242: Use only non-sparking tools.
P243: Take precautionary measures against static discharge.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
The flashing point is 4degC (closed cup flash test) and the boiling point is 111degC (ICSC, 2004) , which is classified into Category 2. Classified into Class 3 and Container II (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, UN#1294).
7 Flammable solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Containing no atom groups with explosive or self-reactive properties
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not classified - - - - Not pyrophoric when in contact with air at ordinary temperatures: the flashing point is 480degC (ICSC,2004)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to liquid substances are not available
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not applicable - - - - Containing no metals or metalloids (B, Si, P, Ge, As, Se, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Po, At)
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds not containing oxygen, fluorine or chlorine
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing no "-O-O-" structure
16 Corrosive to metals Not classified - - - - Classified into Class 3 (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, UN#1294)

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity (Oral) Category 5 - Warning H303: May be harmful if swallowed P312: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. Based on the LD50 value of 4,800 mg/kg calculated from the testing data of rat LD50 (oral route) of 2,600 mg/kg, 5,500 mg/kg, 5,580 mg/kg, 5,900 mg/kg, 6,400 mg/kg, 7,000 mg/kg and 7,530 mg/kg (EU-RAR No.30, 2003).
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Not classified - - - - Based on the LD50 (dermal route) value of 12,000 mg/kg representing the lower of the two testing data, 12,000 mg/kg obtained in rats (ACGIH 7th, 2001) and 14,100 mg/kg obtained in rabbits (EHC 52, 1985).
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) Not applicable - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is "liquid" according to the GHS definition and inhalation of its gas is not expected.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Category 4 Warning H332: Harmful if inhaled P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
P312: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
Based on the rat LC50 value of 18 mg/L (equivalent to 4,800ppm based on a conversion factor (25degC) of 1 mg/m3=0.265 ppm), calculated from the testing data of rat LC50 (4 hour inhalation) of 12.5, 28.1, 28.8 and 33 mg/L (EU-RAR No.30, 2003), was lower than 90% of the saturated vapor concentration (33,000ppm at 25degC) under a saturated vapour pressure of 3.3kPa (25degC), the substance was considered as "vapour containing substantially no mist" and was classified based on standard values expressed in ppm.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) Classification not possible - - - - No data available
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2 Warning H315: Causes skin irritation P302+P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P332+P313: If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P321: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P362: Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Based on the evidence of moderate skin irritation caused by toluene in rabbit primary skin irritation test (4 hour exposure) (EU-RAR No. 30, 2003).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2B - Warning H320: Causes eye irritation P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P337+P313: If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
Based on the description that the subjects recovered from the damage within 7 days in rabbit eye irritation test conducted in accordance with the OECD test guideline (EU-RAR No. 30, 2003), which suggests that toluene causes mild eye irritation.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Not classified - - - - Based on the results of guinea pig maximization tests (EU-RAR No. 30, 2003) suggesting that toluene causes no skin irritation.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Not classified - - - - Based on negative data on heritable mutagenicity tests (dominant lethal tests), the absence of data on germ cell mutagenicity and genotoxicity tests in vivo and the positive data on somatic cell mutagenicity tests in vivo (micronucleus tests, chromosome aberration tests), described in EHC 52 (1986), EU-RAR No. 30 (2003), IARC 71(1999)and ATSDR (2000), although the positive results obtained in vivo were not conclusive. Meanwhile, although some assessment documents have put "+" marks in the result tables (EU marked "negative" for all tests in the result table), all documents have comprehensively concluded that the substance is negative. Moreover, the test conducted in the former Soviet Union in 1970's was suspected of benzene contamination, and all Priority 1 assessment documents have judged the substance as negative. Considering the fact that negative results have been obtained in 6 other tests, the substance was considered negative for in vivo mutagenicity.
6 Carcinogenicity Not classified - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Group 3 by IARC (1999), Category A4 by ACGIH (2001) and Category D by EPA (2005).
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 1A Danger H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child P308+P313: IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.
P201: Obtain special instructions before use.
P202: Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P281: Use personal protective equipment as required.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the results of human epidemiological studies suggesting increased incidence of natural abortion after toluene exposure, abnormal development and malformation of newborns caused by prenatal toluene abuse and decreased plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone and testosterone after toluene exposure, described in IRIS Toxiological review (2005), EU-RAR No.30 (2003), IARC 71(1999), IARC 47 (1989), EHC 52 (1986) and ATSDR (2000), the following conclusion by Ng et al. (1992) in EU RAR30 (2003): "the study suggests an increased risk of late spontaneous abortions associated with exposure to toluene at levels around 88 ppm (range 50-150 ppm). The results of this study are used as a basis for the risk characterisation of developmental toxicity in humans,"and the evidence of increased incidences of foetal death and delayed ossification, a decrease and unossification of sternebrae, a shift in rib profile, excess ribs, retarded skeletal development, delayed reflex response, learning disability and early vaginal opening and testes descent at dosing levels not toxic to dams from rat and mouse teratogenicity tests. According to Da-Silva et al.(1991), toluene was accumulated in breast milk, although no developmental toxicity via lactation was observed.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (central nervous system), Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects) Danger
Warning
H370: Causes damage to organs (central nervous system)
H335: May cause respiratory irritation (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects)
H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects)
P307+P311: IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P321: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
P403+P233: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
P312: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
Based on the human evidence including "toluene is rapidly absorbed mainly through inhalation and acts on the central nervous system. Toluene causes fatigue, sleepiness, dizziness and mild respiratory irritation at 50-100 ppm, excitement associated with paresthesia and nausea at 200-400 ppm and central nervous system suppression leading to drunkenness, delirium and abnormal gait at 500-800 ppm" (CERI Hazard Data 96-4, 1997) and "irritation to the eyes, nose and pharynx" (EU-RAR No. 30, 2003) and the evidence from animal studies including "anesthesia" (EU-RAR No. 30, 2003).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, kidney, liver) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (central nervous system, kidney, liver) P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P314: Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the human evidence including "Toluene induces drug dependency, and inhalant abuse of toluene causes chronic central nervous system damage including restricted vision, headache associated with nystagmus and hearing loss, tremor, ataxia and amnesia. Cerebral atrophy was found in CT tests, and renal dysfunction manifested as proteinuria and hematuria was also observed (CERI Hazard Data 96-4, 1997), "hearing loss, changes in brain-stem auditory evoked potential" (ATSDR, 2000) and "hepatic toxicity associated with an increase in SGOT, fatty degeneration of hepatic cells and lymphocytic infiltration (EU-RAR No. 30, 2003).
10 Aspiration hazard Category 1 Danger H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways P301+P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P331: Do NOT induce vomiting.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the fact that toluene is a hydrocarbon and has a dynamic viscosity of 0.65 mm2/s (25degC) (calculated value).

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute) Category 2 - - H401: Toxic to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
It was classified into Category 2 from 96 hours EC50=3.5mg/L of the crustacea (Brown Shrimp) (EU-RAR (2003) and others.).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Not classified - - - - Since there was rapidly degrading (the decomposition by BOD: 123% (Existing Chemical Safety Inspections Data)) and the bio-accumulation was low (log Kow=2.73 (PHYSPROP Database, 2005)), it was claasified into Not classified.


NOTE:
* Classification was conducted by relevant Japanese Ministries in accordance with GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government, and is intended to provide a reference for preparing GHS labelling and SDS for users.
* This is a provisional English translation of classification results and is subject to revision without notice.
* The responsibility for any resulting GHS labelling and SDS referenced from this site is with users.

Reference:
Reference Manual

Definitions / Abbreviations

Model Label by MHLW

MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)

Model SDS by MHLW

MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)


To GHS Information