GHS Classification Result （Revision of the past classification result）

Chemical Name：Biphenyl
CAS：92-52-4

Result：
ID: 20A2378
Classifier: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare （MHLW）, Ministry of the Environment （MOE）
Year Classified: FY2008
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （Sep, 2008）

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not applicable - - - - There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecules.
2 Flammable gases （including chemically unstable gases） Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products.
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
7 Flammable solid Classification not possible - - - - Information on its flammable range is available (Hommel (1991) Card No. 241, etc.); however, that using standardized testing methods is not available.
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - There are no chemical groups present in the molecule associated with explosive or self-reactive properties.
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Its autoignition point is 540degC (ICSC (J) (1994)).
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 - - - - The chemical structure of the substance does not contain metals or metalloids.
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - The molecule contains no oxygen, fluorine, or chlorine.
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Containing no bivalent -O-O- structure in the molecule
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） Not classified - - - - Based on rat LD50 values of 2400 mg/kg (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol. 1, 2002) and 3280 mg/kg (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol. 1, 2002; ACGIH 7th, 2001; PATTY 4th, 1994), the substance was classified into the "Not classified" category (Category 5 in the United Nations classification).
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Its rabbit LD50 values are 2500 mg/kg (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol. 1, 2002) and >5010 mg/kg (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol. 1, 2002). Using the smaller value of the two, the substance was classified into the "Not classified" category (Category 5 in the United Nations classification).
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Gases） Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Vapours） Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Dusts and mists） Classification not possible - - - - According to CICAD 6 (1999), its 4-hour mouse LC50 is >43 ppm (unit conversion: 0.27 mg/L). Since classification is not feasible based on this value, the substance was classified into the "Classification not possible" category as sufficient test results are not available.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible - - - - Both rabbit tests and dermal application tests with humans found the substance not irritating to skin (CICAD 6 (1999)). These results suggested that this substance falls under "Not classified" category. However, it is reported to irritate skin according to the Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO (vol. 1, 2002)), and its EU Risk Phrase is R36/37/38, which indicates that the substance is a mild skin irritant. Thus, the substance was classified into the "Classification not possible" category.
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. 		Since the substance was slightly irritating when applied to rabbits' eyes in an eye irritation test (CICAD 6 (1999)), it was classified into Category 2B.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
4 Skin sensitization Not classified - - - - In a guinea pig maximization test, there was reportedly no evidence of a skin sensitizing potential for this substance (CICAD 6 (1999)). Thus, the substance was classified into the "Not classified" category.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Not classified - - - - Since an in vivo mutagenicity test using somatic cells (chromosomal aberration test using rat bone marrow cells) gave negative results (CICAD 6, 1999), the substance was classified into the "Not classified" category.
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 ... 		In oral administration (using mixed diet) tests, incidences of transitional cell carcinoma, transitional cell papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma, and squamous papilloma were noted in the urinary bladder of male rats; also, increased incidences of hepatomas and hepatocellular adenomas were noted in female mice (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Results from Carcinogenicity Studies, 1996)). Urinary bladder neoplasm seen in rats is considered to be species and sex specific. In light of these results, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued the Guidelines for Preventing Health Impairment by Biphenyl (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Guidelines, 1997). In accordance with the guidelines, the substance was classified into Category 2. The EPA (1991) has rated the substance as "D," which did not take into account the test results mentioned above (IRIS, 2005).
7 Reproductive toxicity Not classified - - - - In a rat reproduction test, no effects of the substance on fertility were detected (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol. 1, 2002; CICAD 6 (1999); PATTY (4th, 1994); IRIS (2005)). In addition, in an oral administration test using pregnant rats, no serious reproductive toxicity was detected at doses that cause general toxic effects on the parental animals (Hazard Data Book for Chemical Substance (CERI, 1999), CICAD 6 (1999), PATTY (4th, 1994), IRIS (2005)). Based on these reports, the substance was classified into the "Not classified" category.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Classification not possible - - - - In inhalation exposure tests using mice, mild respiratory discomfort were noted (CICAD 6 (1999)). Nevertheless, due to lack of sufficient test results, the substance was classified into the "Classification not possible" category.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (liver, nervous system, respiratory system), Category 2 (kidney) Danger
Warning 		H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (liver, nervous system, respiratory system)
H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (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 ... 		In occupational exposure cases related to this substance, liver damage, effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, and bronchitis were reported (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol.1, 2002; CICAD 6 (1999); ACGIH (7th, 2001), PATTY (4th, 1994)). Thus, the substance was classified into Category 1 for the liver, nervous system, and respiratory system. In addition, in a 21-day mixed diet administration test using rats, effects on the kidney was noted (CICAD 6 (1999)) at the doses that fall under the range of Category 2 guidance values. Thus, the substance was classified into Category 2 for the kidney.
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） - - - - - -
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） - - - - - -


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）

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