GHS Classification Result （Revision of the past classification result）

Chemical Name：Potassium nitrate
CAS：7757-79-1

Result：
ID: 22B4521
Classifier: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare （MHLW）, Ministry of the Environment （MOE）
Year Classified: FY2010
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not classified - - - - The substance does not fall under Explosives since it is classified into Division 5.1, UN1486 in UNRTDG though it contains chemical groups (-NO3) associated with explosive properties.
2 Flammable gases （including chemically unstable gases） Not applicable - - - - Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products.
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))
7 Flammable solids Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - The substance is classified as Oxidizing solid.
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not classified - - - - Although the substance contains a metal (K) in the molecule, the water solubility data as "complete" (357 g/L H2O (25 degC)) (ICSC (J) (2001)) is obtained and it is considered that the substance does not react vigorously with water.
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))
14 Oxidizing solids Category 3 Warning H272: May intensity fire; oxidizer P370+P378: In case of fire: Use ... for extinction.
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
P220: Keep/Store away from clothing/.../combustible materials.
P221: Take any precaution to avoid mixing with combustibles/...
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		The substance is classified into Division 5.1, PG III, UN1486 in UNRTDG.
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - The substance is not an organic compound.
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 the rat LD50 value of 3750 mg/kg (ECETOC TR 25 (1988) and EPA RED (1991)), the substance was classified as "Not classified" in the JIS classification (corresponding to Category 5 in the UN-GHS classification). This is the amendment in accordance with the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
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 - - - - No data available.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible - - - - The classification was not possible due to lack of data. As relevant information, it was reported that the substance was irritating to the skin (ICSC(J)(2001), HSFS (2004), SITTIG, 4th (2002)). However, these data were not used for classification because concrete case was not reported.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Classification not possible - - - - The classification was not possible due to lack of data. As relevant information, it was reported that the substance was irritating to the eye (ICSC(J)(2001), HSFS (2004), SITTIG, 4th (2002)). However, these data were not used for classification because the concrete case was not reported.
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 - - - - The classification was not possible due to lack of in vivo test data. As relevant information, as for in vitro mutagenicity studies, negative results in the Ames test and gene mutation test using mammalian cultured cells were reported (IUCLID (2000)).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - The classification was not possible due to no data available. As relevant information, the IARC (IARC Vol.94 (2010)) described that the evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for nitrates in drinking water was uncertain. And also, it was evaluated the carcinogenicity as "Group 2A" under the conditions that nitrates or nitrites could be nitrosated in vivo after oral ingestion. The comprehensive evaluation of the IARC described additionally as follows: There is an active endogenous nitrogen cycle in humans that involves nitrates and nitrites, which are interconvertible in vivo. Nitrosating agents that arise from nitrites under acidic gastric conditions react readily with compounds which are easily nitrosated, especially secondary amines and amides, to generate N-nitroso compounds. These nitrosating conditions are enhanced following ingestion of additional nitrates, nitrites or nitroso compounds. Some of the N-nitroso compounds have the possibility to form known carcinogens in humans under these conditions.
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 the oral administration study in guinea pigs via drinking water, although there was no description about the general toxicity to parent animals, increased abortions, and fetal deaths were observed (EHC 5(1978), IUCLID (2000), HSDB (2005)). And in the two-generation reproductive study by feeding administration in rats, malformations were observed (IUCLID (2000), HSDB (2005)). Therefore, the substance was classified as Category 2.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (blood) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (blood) 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 ... 		There were no reports on human health for the substance concerned. With regard to information for general water-soluble nitrates, it was reported that 15 soldiers who ingested sodium nitrate by mistake instead of table salts became methemoglobinemia. Of them, 13 ingested about 15g died, while two ingested 5 g survived (ECETOC TR 27 (1988)). Based on the information, the substance was classified as Category 1 (blood). Besides, there were descriptions (ICSC (J) (2001), HSFS (2004) and SITTIG, 4th (2002)) indicating that the substance was irritant to respiratory tract. However, this information was not adopted for classification because the information was obtained from the "List 3" information source designated in the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government with no descriptions based on actual exposure cases, etc.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (blood) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (blood) 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 ... 		With regard to chronic toxicity of general water-soluble nitrates, there were numerous reports of increased methemoglobin concentrations observed in the infants who ingested meal or water containing nitrates, and case reports of methemoglobinemia observed in the patients administered sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate as a diuretic agent or in the patients treated with ammonium nitrate as an urolithiasis-preventive agent were presented (ECETOC TR27 (1988)). Based on the information, the substance was classified as Category 1 (blood). Besides, the effects on the heart, etc. were reported as ones of nitrates, but these were considered to be secondary effect by methemoglobinemia-induced hypoxia (EHC 5 (1978)).
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） Not classified - - - - Classified as "Not classified" from its 48h-TLm = 490 mg/L for crustacea (Daphnia magna) (SIDS, 2008).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Not classified - - - - Classified as "Not classified" since it is not non-water soluble (water solubility = 357000 mg/L (SIDS, 2008)) and its acute toxicity is low.
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