GHS Classification Result (Revision of the past classification result)

Chemical Name:Chloromethane, (alias Methyl chloride)
CAS:74-87-3

Result:
ID: 21B3120
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 - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
2 Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) Category 1 Danger H220: Extremely flammable gas P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
P377: Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely.
P381: Eliminate all ignition sources if safe to do so.
P403: Store in a well-ventilated place.
Classified into Category 1 since lower explosive limit is 8.1 vol% in ICSC (2000). The substance containing stabilizers is classified into Division 2.1 in UNRTDG (UN1063).
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products.
4 Oxidizing gases Not classified - - - - The substance is classified into Division 2.1 in UNRTDG (UN1063). Combustible gas.
5 Gases under pressure Low pressure liquefied gas Warning H280: Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated P410+P403: Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place. Classified as "Low pressure liquefied gas" since boiling point is -24.2 degC (ICSC (1999)) and critical temperature is 143.10 degC (HSDB (2009)). The substance is classified into Division 2.1 in UNRTDG (UN1063).
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
7 Flammable solids Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to gaseous substances are not available. Information is available that is the substance corrodes aluminum, zinc, magnesium and their alloys (Hommel (1996)).

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 a LD50 value of 1800 mg/kg for rats (SIDS (2003), Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of Environment) vol.3 (2004)), the substance was classified into Category 4.
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) 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 LD50 values of 2566 ppm and 2700 ppm for rats (SIDS (2003)), the substance was classified into Category 4.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible - - - - No data available. As relevant information, there is a report that frostbite may result from contact with the liquid substance (HSDB (2009)).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Classification not possible - - - - Although there is a report that exposure of a rabbit eye to the gas for 90 seconds caused only slight conjunctival hyperemia (SIDS (2003)), classification was not possible due to lack of data from standard irritation tests. As relevant information, frostbite may result from contact with the liquid substance (HSDB (2009)).
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. A positive result in a dominant lethal test (IRIS Toxicological Review (2001), CICAD 28 (2000), (IARC 71 (1999)) was not used for classification, since it is reported in a document in List 1 that the result is due to an inflammation effect. From in vitro mutagenicity tests, there are reports of a positive human lymphocyte gene mutation test, a positive sister chromatid exchange test, a positive Syrian hamster fetal cell (infected with adenovirus SA7) transformation test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 40 (2005)) and a positive bacterial forward mutation test and a positive reverse mutation test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 40 (2005), NTP DB (access on June 2009), CICAD 28 (2000)).
6 Carcinogenicity Not classified - - - - Based on the classifications of "Group 3" in IARC (IARC (1999)), "A4" in ACGIH (ACGIH (2001)) and "D" in EPA (EPA (2008)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". Two-year inhalation tests were conducted in rats and mice (two tests in both species). In one test in rats, increased incidence of follicular adenoma and follicular adenocarcinoma in the thyroid (combined) was observed only in the males. In mice, a significantly increased incidence of kidney tumor in the males of the high dose group was observed in one test, and an increased incidence of bronchiolo-alveolar adenoma in the females was observed in the other test (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 40, Results from Carcinogenicity tests (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (1997)).
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 ...
In a two-generation reproductive test in rats, no viable litters were produced and tubular atrophy in the testes and granuloma in the epididymis were observed in parental animals at dose levels in which general toxicity (reduced body weight gain) was manifested in parental animals (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). In two developmental toxicity tests in mice, the heart defects (absent or reduced atrioventricular valves, tricuspid valves and papillary muscles and/or chordae tendineae under the bicuspid valve, small right ventricle, globular heart, and white spots in the left ventricular wall) were observed at doses that were not parental toxic (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 1B.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (nervous system, cardiovascular system, liver, kidney), Category 3 (narcotic effects) Danger
Warning
H370: Causes damage to organs (nervous system, cardiovascular system, liver, kidney)
H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness (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.
In humans, there are reports of (a) "dizziness, frailty, blurred vision, ataxia, lethargy, insomnia, confusion, paresthesia, neurosis and depressive symptom following inhalation exposure", (b) "nausea, severe headache, drunkenness, confusion, somnolence, ataxia and dysphasia following ingestion" and (c) "abnormal ECG, tachycardia and increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure and increase of relative risk of death by cardiovascular diseases" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 1 (nervous system, cardiovascular system). 6-hour inhalation tests were conducted with mice and rats. Hematuria, degeneration and necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubules and hepatic necrosis was reported for mice at a dose level of 1000 ppm (4-hour equivalence: 1225 ppm) (ACGIH (2001)), and hepato toxicity and renal toxicity was reported in mice at dose level of 2000 ppm (4-hour equivalence: 2690 ppm) or higher concentrations (CICAD 28 (2000)). Similar findings were also reported in rats at a dose level of 3500 ppm (4-hour equivalence: 4287 ppm) or higher (ACGIH (2001)). Since the effects in mice were observed at dose levels within the guidance value range for Category 1, the substance was classified into Category 1 (liver, kidney). Since lethargy and somnolence are reported following exposure (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), the substance was classified into Category 3 (narcotic effects). In conclusion, the substance was classified into Category 1 (nervous system, cardiovascular system, liver, kidney) and Category 3 (narcotic effects).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (liver, kidney, central nervous system) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (liver, kidney, central nervous system) 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 ...
For human exposure to the substance, there are reports of "effects on the liver and kidney, including jaundice, anuria and proteinuria" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)); "liver cirrhosis, renal damage, nervous system dysfunction" (IARC vol. 71 (1999)); "effects on the central nervous system such as difficulty in accommodation and diplopia" (ACGIH (2001)); and "dizziness, lalopathy, shivering, ataxia, mental confusion, sleep disorder and visual disturbance" (BUA No. 114 (1993)). In addition, there are case reports describing effects on the liver and kidney (ACGIH (2001)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 1 (liver, kidney, nervous system). In inhalation (6h/day) tests in mice, hepatocellular vacuolization at 750 ppm and higher concentrations following 90-day exposure (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)); degeneration of the cerebellum at 1500 ppm (90-day equivalent: 233 ppm) following 2-week exposure (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)); and axonal swelling and degeneration at 50 ppm following 2-year exposure (SIDS (2003)) were observed.
10 Aspiration hazard Not applicable - - - - Gas (GHS definition)

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute) Not classified - - - - Classified into Not classified from its 96h-LC50 = 270000 microg/L for fish (Atherinidae) (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment), vol. 3, 2004, etc) and 48h-LC50 = 200 mg/L for Crustacea (Daphnia magna) (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO), 2005, etc).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Not classified - - - - Classified into Not classified since its acute toxicity is Not Classified and it is not non-water soluble (Water solubility = 5320 mg/L) (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)


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