GHS Classification Result （Revision of the past classification result）

Chemical Name：Formic acid
CAS：64-18-6

Result：
ID: 21B3006
Classifier: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare （MHLW）, Ministry of the Environment （MOE）
Year Classified: FY2009
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （March, 2009）

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 - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
6 Flammable liquids Category 3 Warning H226: 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 ... 		Classified into Category 3 since flash point 45 degC (closed-cup) (GESTIS (access on 4, 2009)) is >=23 degC and <=60 degC.
7 Flammable solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
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 classified - - - - Classified into Not classified since auto-ignition point is 520 degC (ICSC (J) (1997)), 539 degC (NFPA (13th, 2002)), 601.1 degC (Dangerous Goods Data Book (Tokyo Fire Department (1993))) exceeding 70 degC.
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (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 - - - - The chemical structure of the substance does not contain metals or metalloids (B, Si, P, Ge, As, Se, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Po, At).
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - The substance is an organic compound containing oxygen (but not fluorine or chlorine) which is chemically bonded only to carbon or hydrogen.
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing no bivalent -O-O- structure
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - No data available. Information is available that the substance is corrosive to metals (HSDB (2005)).

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 ... 		LD50 values of 730 - 1830 mg/kg (DFGOT (2003)), 1830 mg/kg (PATTY (5th, 2001)) and 1100 - 1850 mg/kg (NTP TR 19 (1992)) for rats correspond to Category 4.
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Gases） Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
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 a LC50 value of 7.4 mg/L (3931 ppmV) for rats (DFGOT (2003)), the substance was classified into Category 4. Saturated vapour pressure concentration of the test substance is 105.5 mg/L. Since the test concentration (7.4 mg/L: 3931 ppmV) was lower than 90% of saturated vapour pressure concentration (95.0 mg/L), the classification criteria for gas was adopted.
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Dusts and mists） Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Category 1 Danger H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage P301+P330+P331: IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
P303+P361+P353: IF ON SKIN （or hair）: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P310: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P321: Specific treatment （see ... on this label）.
P363: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		There are results of "corrosive" in rabbit tests (DFGOT (2003), IUCLID (2000)). For humans, it was reported that the substance can cause burn with keloid, and often result in scarring. Additionally, there is a report that cases of local exposure to formic acid on the skin showed corrosion of the legs with subsequent scarred changes (BUA Report No. 81 (1991)). Based on these data, the substance was classified into Category 1. As relevant information, the pH is 2.2 (10 g/L, 20 degC) (IUCLID (2000)) and the substance is classified into C; R35 in EU classification.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 1 Danger H318: Causes serious eye damage P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P310: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. 		In rabbit tests, there are results of "irritating" or "corrosive" to the eyes (DFGOT (2003)) and burning of the cornea (PATTY (5th, 2001)). In another animal test, there are reports of hypopyon, posterior subcapsular lens opacity, absence of portions of corneal endothelium, infiltration, and growth of new blood vessels (HSDB (2006)). For humans, there are case reports that exposure caused damage to eyes (BUA Report No. 81 (1991), IUCLID (2000)). Additionally, conjunctivitis, keratitis and permanent scarring of the cornea have been reported (PATTY (5th, 2001)). The pH is 2.2 (10 g/L, 20 degC) (IUCLID (2000)) and the substance is corrosive to skin. Based on these data, the substance was classified into Category 1.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible due to lack of data from in vivo mutagenicity tests. From in vitro mutagenicity tests, there are reports of negative results in 7 Ames tests and an "equivocal" result for TA97 strain in 1 Ames test (PATTY (5th, 2001), DFGOT (2003), JECFA (1998), IUCLID (2000), NTP DB (access on Apr. 2009)). Additionally, there are reports of 2 negative results (JECFA (1998)) and 2 positive results (due to reduction in pH) (PATTY (5th, 2001), DFGOT (2003)) in CHO cell chromosomal aberration tests. Negative results were reported in all of 3 sister chromatid exchange tests (1 test using human lymphocyte, 2 tests using hamster V79 cell) (DFGOT (2003), IUCLID (2000)).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - There are reports that a mouse 50-day dermal test (painting the mouse ear twice a week) revealed no evidence of histological or histomorphometric changes (DFGOT (2003)) and that no tumors were observed in a rat test by oral administration (in drinking water) for 2 - 3 years (IUCLID (2000)). Classification was not possible due to lack of sufficient data.
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible - - - - In 13-week inhalation tests in rats and mice, there were no effects on any examination parameter of the testis and sperm or estrus cycle (NTP TOX-19 (1992)). However, classification was not possible due to lack of data for effects on fertility or fetal development. As relevant information, it was reported that the survival of offspring from female rats administered at a concentration of 1.0% in drinking water for up to 7 months was reduced by 50 to 67% (Tracor Jitco (1974), NTP TR19 (1992)), however, the details for the test method and results are not reported.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (respiratory system, blood, kidney) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (respiratory system, blood, 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 ... 		In individuals who had accidently ingested the substance, severe local acid burns were observed in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, acidosis, haemolysis, liver function disorders, acute kidney failure and inflammation of the lungs were observed (DFGOT (2003)). In 53 human cases of ingestion, corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract, pneumonia, kidney failure, hypotension, and unconsciousness were observed (BUA Report No. 81 (1991)). There are many case reports of death after relatively massive ingestion of the substance which resulted in acidosis, haemolysis, anaemia or cyanosis (DFGOT (2003), PATTY (5th, 2001), ACGIH (2001), NTP TR19 (1992), BUA Report No. 81 (1991)). Predominantly, perforation of the stomach and acute kidney failure are reported as a cause of death or symptoms in serious cases of exposure (DFGOT (2003), BUA Report No. 81 (1991)). There is a report that inhalation exposure to humans results in rhinitis, cough, bronchitis, and dyspnea (NTP TR19 (1992)). Based on all information, the substance was classified into Category 1 (respiratory system, blood system, kidney). The effects on the digestive tract are considered to be effects by site of contact of the corrosive substance and are not classified in specific target organ toxicity.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 2 (upper respiratory tract) Warning H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (upper respiratory tract) P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P314: Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		In a 13-week inhalation exposure test in rats (6 hour/day, 5days/week), increased incidence of degeneration of respiratory epithelium and olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity were noted in the 240 mg/m3 (0.24 mg/L) group. In a similar test in mice, slight degeneration of olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity was observed in the 120 mg/m3 (0.12 mg/L) and higher dose groups (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) (2008)). Since these effects were observed at a dose level of 0.24 mg/L in rats which is within the guidance value range (vapour) for Category 2, the substance was classified into Category 2 (upper respiratory tract). In addition, chronic absorption in humans was reported to cause albuminuria and hematuria (NTP TR19 (1992)), but there is no report for nephropathy.
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 3 - - H402: Harmful to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Classified into Category 3 from its 96h-EC50 = 25 mg/L for algae (Scenedesmus) (HSDB, 2009).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Not classified - - - - Classified into Not classified since it is rapidly degradable (BOD degradation rate: 110% (Biodegradation and Bioconcentration of Existing Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law, 1993)) and low bioaccumulative potential is estimated (log Kow = -0.54 (PHYSPROP Database, 2009)).
12 Hazardous to the ozone layer Classification not possible - - - - This substance is not listed in Annexes to the Montreal Protocol.


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