GHS Classification Result （Revision of the past classification result）

Chemical Name：Carbon tetrachloride
CAS：56-23-5

Result：
ID: 21B3130
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 Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (2004), Merck (14th, 2006))
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 - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (2004), Merck (14th, 2006))
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (2004), Merck (14th, 2006))
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 chlorine which is chemically bonded only to carbon.
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 when carbon tetrachloride is combined with water, it becomes corrosive to metals (Hommel (1996)).

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity （Oral） Not classified - - - - Based on LD50 values of 2350 mg/kg (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of Environment) vol. 3 (2004)), 2821 mg/kg, 10054 mg/kg (EHC 208 (1999)), 2800 - 10180 mg/kg (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) (2005)), 7500 mg/kg, 10200 mg/kg (ATSDR (2005)), 2920 mg/kg (IARC vol. 20 (1979)) and 7460 mg/kg (JMPR No. 48 (1965)) for rats, the substance was classified as "Not classified".
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Based on a LD50 value of 15000 mg/kg for rabbits (ATSDR (2005)), the substance was classified as "Not classified".
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 (4h) value of 8000 ppm for rats (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of Environment) vol. 3 (2004)), the substance was classified into Category 4. Since the LC50 value was lower than 90% of saturated vapour pressure concentration (151,316 ppmV), the classification criteria for gas (ppm) was adopted.
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. 		Following application of 1.5 mL of carbon tetrachloride to human forearm skin for 5 minutes, slight and transient erythema was observed after 10 - 20 minutes (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) (2005)). There are reports of "moderately irritating" results in skin irritation tests using rabbits and guinea pigs (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 2.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2 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. 		Eye contact with liquid carbon tetrachloride causes burning and intense irritation in humans (HSDB (2005)). Although in a rabbit eye irritation test, there is a report that "irritating effects were observed, they are completely reversible by 14 days post application" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 2. As relevant information, since it is not clear whether the effects reversed within 7 days, sub-categorization was not performed.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Not classified - - - - Based on negative results from in vivo somatic cell mutagenicity tests (chromosomal aberration test, micronucleus test) (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". As relevant information, results of other in vivo tests are as follows; positive results in DNA adduct formation test (ATSDR (2005)) and DNA binding test (IARC vol. 71 (1999), ATSDR (2005)); negative results in sister chromatid exchange test, unscheduled DNA synthesis test and DNA damage test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). From in vitro mutagenicity tests, there are reports of positive and negative chromosomal aberration tests (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)) and bacterial reverse mutation tests (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), NTP DB (access on 7. 2009)), and negative sister chromatid exchange test (NTP DB (access on 7. 2009)) and mouse lymphoma test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (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 ... 		Based on the classifications of "R" in NTP (NTP RoC (11th, 2005)), "2B" in IARC (IARC vol. 71 (1999)), "B2" in EPA (IRIS (2000)) and "2B" in Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH) (Recommendations for allowable concentrations (2008)), the substance was classified into Category 2. In 104-week inhalation tests in rats and mice, significantly increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma were observed in both sexes of each species, and an significantly increased incidence of pheochromocytoma in the adrenal gland was observed in mice of both sexes (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) (2005)). As for effects of carbon tetrachloride exposure in humans, there are reports suggesting a relationship to some cancers, or indicating a significantly increased mortality due to pharyngeal cancer and breast cancer. However, a clear relationship between cancer occurrence and carbon tetrachloride exposure is denied in a number of reports (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) (2005)).
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 2 Warning H361: Suspected of damaging 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 developmental toxicity tests in rats, at dose levels in which general toxicity (reduced body weight gain) was manifested in parental animals, oral administration increased complete litter loss and inhalation exposure significantly increased the incidence of abnormalities in the sternebrae (split and delayed ossification). Additionally, inhalation exposure decreased viability of offspring at birth and during the lactation period while the parental toxicity was not reported (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). In a 3-generation rat inhalation test, a decrease in fertility and decreased litter size were observed (ATSDR (2005)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 2.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, liver, kidney) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (central nervous system, liver, 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 humans, there are reports of "vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness, tachycardia, tachypnea, headache, coma, deterioration of liver function, centrilobular necrosis of the liver, renal failure, tubular necrosis, anuria and proteinuria" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH) Recommendations for allowable concentrations (1991), EHC 208 (1999), ATSDR (2005), DFGOT vol. 18 (2002)) following exposure to carbon tetrachloride. Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 1 (central nervous system, liver, kidney). In animal tests, increased centrilobular vacuolization with significant necrosis after oral administration of 160 mg/kg to rats (ATSDR (2005)) and hepatic centrilobular necrosis after oral administration of 32 mg/kg to mice (EHC 208 (1999)) were reported.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (liver, kidney), Category 2 (respiratory system) Danger
Warning 		H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (liver, kidney)
H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (respiratory 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 ... 		In humans, there is a case report of hepatic cirrhosis following exposure to carbon tetrachloride, and carbon tetrachloride exposure is concluded to be a risk factor of hepatic cirrhosis (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE)). In rats, "centrilobular hepatocellular vacuolization" was observed at 10 mg/kg (equivalent: 9.3 mg/kg) and higher levels following 12-weeks of oral administration (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE)). In rats, histological changes in the liver (fatty degeneration, ceroid deposit, bile duct proliferation and increased incidence of liver cirrhosis) were observed at 10 ppm (0.0641 mg/L) and higher levels following 13-weeks of inhalation (vapour) exposure (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 1 (liver). In the 13-week inhalation (vapour) exposure test reported above, abnormalities in urine parameters was observed at 90 ppm (0.57 mg/L) and higher levels, and renal tubular vacuolization, glomerular hyalinosis and protein cast in the liver were observed at 270 ppm (1.7 mg/L) and higher levels. In addition, progressive glomerulonephropathy is reported at 25 ppm (0.16 mg/L) and higher levels following 2-year inhalation (vapour) exposure (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE)). Since these findings were noted even at dose levels within the guidance value range for Category 1, the substance was classified into Category 1 (kidney). In 6-week inhalation exposure (vapour) tests in rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and monkeys, interstitial fibrosis in the liver and pneumonia were observed at 0.515 mg/L (90-day equivalent: 0.28 mg/L/6 h/day) in all species (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of the Environment) vol. 3 (2004)). Since these effects were noted at dose levels within the guidance value range for Category 2, the substance was classified into Category 2 (respiratory tract). In conclusion, the substance was classified into Category 1 (liver, kidney) and Category 2 (respiratory tract). Detailed reports about hematological effects are lacking. There is a report of decreases in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and erythrocyte count at 270 ppm (1.7 mg/L) and higher levels in a 13-week inhalation (vapour) exposure test in mice (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE)), however, the findings were noted at dose levels beyond the guidance value range, therefore the data was not used for classification.
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 ... 		Classified into Category 1 from its 72h-ErC50 = 0.46 mg/L for algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) (Test for the Ecological Effect of Chemical Substances (Ministry of the Environment), 2002).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Category 1 Warning H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Classified into Category 1 since its acute toxicity is Category 1 and it is not rapidly degradable (BOD degradation rate: 0% (Biodegradation and Bioconcentration of Existing Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law, 1980)).
12 Hazardous to the ozone layer Category 1 Warning H420: Harms public health and the environment by destroying zone in the upper atmosphere P502: Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling. This substance is 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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