GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name:Hydroquinone
CAS:123-31-9

Result:
ID: 176
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 chemical groups with explosive properties
2 Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
7 Flammable solids Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible due to lack of data, though classified as "flammable" by ICSC (2004)
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Containing no chemical groups with explosive or self-reactive properties
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Not pyrophoric when in contact with air at ordinary temperatures: the auto-ignition temperature is 515degC (ICSC, 2004)
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Classification not possible - - - - No data 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 - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing oxygen (but not fluorine and chlorine), with the oxygen bound to carbon and hydrogen (but not to other elements)
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing no "-O-O-" structure
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity (Oral) Category 4 Warning H302: Harmful if swallowed P301+P312: IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P330: Rinse mouth.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the LD50 value of 593mg/kg calculated from the testing data of rat LD50 (oral route) of 1,300mg/kg (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000)), 302mg/kg (MOE Risk Assessment vol. 3 (2004)), 390mg/kg (SIDS (2002)), 320mg/kg, 1,005mg/kg, 1,295mg/kg, 1,050mg/kg, 1,090mg/kg, 1,182mg/kg, 1,081mg/kg, 731mg/kg, 323mg/kg, 298mg/kg, 310mg/kg, 743mg/kg and 627mg/kg (EHC 157 (1994)).
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Not classified - - - - Based on the rabbit LD50 (dermal route) value of 74,800mg/kg (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000)).
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) Not applicable - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is "solid" according to the GHS definition and inhalation of its gas is not expected.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Classification not possible - - - - No data available
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 description in the report on guinea pig skin irritation tests (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000) and EHC 157 (1994)): "Application of 10% aqueous solution produced irritation of the skin" (though results are not those of 4-hour application). Also based on the description in the report on epidemiological studies of human exposure (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000), EHC 157 (1994) and DFGOT vol.10 (1998)): "irritating to the skin." The substance is thus considered to possess an irritation potential (of an unknown degree) and can be classified into Category 2 or 3. Placed in Category 2 from the viewpoint of safety.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2A-2B Warning H319: Causes serious 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.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
Based on the description in the report on eye irritation tests in guinea pigs and rabbits (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000), EHC 157 (1994), DFGOT vol.10 (1998) and SIDS (2002)): "Mild to moderate irritation was observed." Although classified into Category 2A-2B, the substance should be placed in Category 2A from the viewpoint of safety if further subclassification is needed.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Category 1 Warning H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction P302+P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P333+P313: If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P272: Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P321: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P363: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
A number of "positive" results have been reported from guinea pig skin sensitization tests (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000) and EHC 157 (1994)). Also human epidemiological studies provide evidence of skin sensitization (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000), EHC 157 (1994) and DFGOT vol.10 (1998)).
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Category 1B Danger H340: May cause genetic defects 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 negative data on multi-generation mutagenicity tests and positive data on germ cell mutagenicity tests in vivo, described in EHC 157 (1994), SIDS (2002), CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000) and NTP DB (Access on March 2006).
6 Carcinogenicity Category 2 Warning H351: Suspected of causing cancer 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 ...
Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Category A3 by ACGIH (2001).
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 1B 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 evidence of an increased incidence of resorptions with no maternal toxicity, described in EHC 157 (1994).
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, kidney) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (central nervous system, kidney) 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 ...
Based on the human evidence: "major toxic effects of hydroquinone include tremor, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, tachycardia, hyporeflexia, dark urine, dyspnea, cyanosis and coma" (EHC 157 (1994)). Also based on the evidence from animal studies: "enzymuria, glucosuria, increased epitheliocytes in the urine were observed" (EHC 157 (1994)), "nerve/muscle shrinkage and tremor were found" (IUCLID (2000)). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Categories 1 and 2.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (respiratory system, blood system), Category 2 (central nervous system, liver, kidney) Danger
Warning
H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (respiratory system, blood system)
H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (central nervous system, liver, kidney)
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 "significant decrease in pulmonary function in the exposed group" (EHC 157 (1994)), and the evidence from animal studies including "tremor and decreased activity," "hepatic lesions including syncytial cells and giant cells observed" (EHC 157 (1994)), "tremor and spasm," "decreased hematocrit levels/hemoglobin levels/RBC, dose-dependent increase in kidney damage" (NTP TR 366 (1989)), "hematological changes such as anisocytosis, polychromatophilia and acidophil erythroblast were detected" (CERI Hazard Data 99-19 (2000)). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Categories 1 and 2.
10 Aspiration hazard Classification not possible - - - - No data available

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute) Category 1 Warning H400: Very toxic to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
It was classified into Category 1 from 96 hours LC50=44microg/L of the fish (Fathead Minnows) (MOE Risk Assessment vol. 2 (2003) and others.).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Not classified - - - - Since there was rapidly degrading (the decomposition by BOD: 70% (Existing Chemical Safety Inspections Data)) and the bio-accumulation was low (log Kow=0.59 (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 SDS by MHLW

MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)


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