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GHS Classification Result

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	107-31-3
Chemical Name	Methyl formate
Substance ID	H26-B-031, R-012
Classification year (FY)	FY2014
Ministry who conducted the classification	Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)/Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
New/Revised	Revised
Classification result in other fiscal year	FY2006
Download of Excel format	Excel file

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Item	Information
Guidance used for the classification (External link)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition)
UN GHS document (External link)	UN GHS document
Definitions/Abbreviations (Excel file)	Definitions/Abbreviations
Model Label by MHLW (External link)	MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
Model SDS by MHLW (External link)	MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
OECD/eChemPortal (External link)	eChemPortal

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
1	Explosives	Not applicable	- -	-	-	There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.
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 1	Danger	H224	P303+P361+P353 P370+P378 P403+P235 P210 P233 P240 P241 P242 P243 P280 P501	It was classified in Category 1 based on a flash point of -19 deg C (closed cup) and a boiling point of 31.5 deg C (HSDB (Access on June 2014)). Besides, it is classified in Class 3, PG I (UN1243) in UNRTDG.
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	- -	-	-	It is estimated that it does not ignite at normal temperatures from an autoignition temperature of 449 deg C (ICSC (2010)).
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 in the molecule
16	Corrosive to metals	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
1	Acute toxicity (Oral)	Category 4	Warning	H302	P301+P312 P362+P364 P264 P270 P330 P501	Based on a report of an LD50 value of 1,500 mg/kg for rats (PATTY (6th, 2012), SIDS (2008), IUCLID (2000)), it was classified in Category 4.
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Not classified	- -	-	-	Based on a report of an LD50 value of >4,000 mg/kg for rats (PATTY (6th, 2012), IUCLID (2000)), it was classified as "Not classified."
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data. Besides, there was a report of an LC50 value (4 hours) of >5.2 mg/L (2,115 ppm) for rats (PATTY (6th, 2012), SIDS (2008), IUCLID (2000)). Since the LC50 value was lower than 90% of the saturated vapor concentration, 671,786 ppm, it was regarded as a vapour without a mist. Since it was not possible to identify either Category 3, Category 4, or "Not classified" from this LC50 value, it was classified as "Classification not possible." Instead of a low-priority information source (RTECS (2004)), new high-priority information sources (PATTY (6th, 2012), SIDS (2008), IUCLID (2000)) were added, and the category was revised.
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Category 2	Warning	H315	P302+P352 P332+P313 P362+P364 P264 P280 P321	There is a description that the vapour of this substance was strongly irritating to humans (PATTY (6th, 2012)). In reports on animals, there are reports that in a test in which the undiluted liquid of this substance was applied occlusively to rabbits, the primary irritation score was 0.67 (SIDS (2008)), and that it was slightly irritating (SIDS (2008)). From the above, although it was equivalent to "Not classified" in reports on animals, there is a description that the vapour was strongly irritating to humans, therefore, it was changed to Category 2.
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Category 2	Warning	H319	P305+P351+P338 P337+P313 P264 P280	There is a report that in a test in which the undiluted liquid of this substance was applied to rabbits, mild to moderate corneal opacity (2/3 animals), iritis with Grade 1 (2/3 animals), conjunctival redness with Grade 2 (2/3 animals), erythema with Grade 1 (2/3 animals) and eye discharge with Grade 2 or 3 (2/3 animals) were observed and it was slightly irritating (SIDS (2008)). In addition, in another test with rabbits, moderate corneal damage with iritis was observed and it was considered irritating (SIDS (2008)). Moreover, irritation was observed in a test where guinea pigs were exposed to the vapor of this substance (PATTY (6th, 2012)). Furthermore, there is a description that it was also irritating to the eyes in humans (PATTY (6th, 2012)). From the above results, it was classified in Category 2.
4	Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
4	Skin sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
5	Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data. There was no in vivo data. As for in vitro, it was negative in bacterial reverse mutation tests (SIDS (2008), IUCLID (2000), PATTY (6th, 2012), NTP DB (Access on July 2014)).
6	Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	There was no classification by international organizations. Classification was not possible due to lack of data.
7	Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 1 (central nervous system, respiratory organs), Category 3 (narcotic effects)	Danger Warning	H370 H336	P308+P311 P260 P264 P270 P321 P405 P501 P304+P340 P403+P233 P261 P271 P312	In humans, inhalation exposure caused nose irritation, narcotic effects and dyspnea, and exposure to high concentrations caused convulsions and death. In addition, there is also a report that visual disturbances were caused (ACGIH (7th, 2001), HSDB (Access on June 2014), PATTY (6th, 2012)). As for inhalation exposures in experimental animals, unkempt fur, forced breathing, gasping, poor coordination, prostration, lacrimation, salivation and pulmonary congestion with some scattered hemorrhages in rats, nasal irritation, eye irritation, pulmonary irritation, narcosis, incoordination and central nervous system depression in guinea pigs, pulmonary inflammation and pulmonary edema in cats were found, and by oral administration to rats, dyspnea, apathy, stagger, sluggishness, gasping, pulmonary hemorrhages, and discolored liver, spleen, kidneys, stomachs and intestines were observed. By dermal application, it is reported that staggering and irregular breathing were caused in rats (SIDS (2008), ACGIH (7th, 2001), PATTY (6th, 2012), HSDB (Access on June 2014)). These findings were within the guidance range values corresponding to Category 1 or Category 2. Besides, discolored liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and intestines were not adopted as organ toxicities since there was no specific information. From the above, it was classified in Category 1 (central nervous system, respiratory organs), Category 3 (narcotic effects).
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 2 (respiratory organs)	Warning	H373	P260 P314 P501	The findings in humans were only information on acute exposures. Data on experimental animals were also very limited. And, there is only information that in a study in which rats were exposed by inhalation to the vapour of this substance for 2 weeks, tissue changes in the nasal epithelium (degeneration of the olfactory epithelium, squamous metaplasia, infiltration of inflammatory cells) were observed at or above 1.24 mg/L (converted guidance value: 0.19 mg/L/6 hours) (SIDS (2008)). It was classified in Category 2 (respiratory organs) because there was no finding on inhalation exposure in humans, and because in the inhalation exposure test with rats, a short administration period was adopted, and the effects were observed at or above the upper limit concentration of the range of Category 1. Besides, new information was added for this classification, and the category was revised.
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Although the kinematic viscosity at room temperature calculated from the listed data in HSDB (Access on June 2014) was 0.329 mm2/s, there is no description that it induced an aspiration hazard in humans, and it is not a hydrocarbon, therefore, its category was not assigned. It was classified as "Classification not possible" due to lack of information.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute)	Not classified	- -	-	-	It was classified as "Not classified" from 72-hour ErC50 = 1063 mg/L for algae (Desmodesmus subspicatus), 48-hour EC50 > 500 mg/L for crustacea (Daphnia magna), and 96-hour LC50 = 115 mg/L for fish (Leuciscus idus) (all SIDS, 2008).
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term)	Not classified	- -	-	-	Reliable chronic toxicity data were not obtained. Because it corresponds to "Not classified" in acute toxicity for algae, crustacea, and fish and is not water-insoluble (water solubility = 230000 mg/L, PHYSPROP Database, 2009), it is classified as "Not classified." From the above, it was classified as "Not classified."
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	This substance is not listed in the Annexes to the Montreal Protocol.

NOTE:

GHS Classification Result by the Japanese Government is intended to provide a reference for preparing a GHS label or SDS for users. To include the same classification result in a label or SDS for Japan is NOT mandatory.
Users can cite or copy this classification result when preparing a GHS label or SDS. Please be aware, however, that the responsibility for a label or SDS prepared by citing or copying this classification result lies with users.
This GHS classification was conducted based on the information sources and the guidance for classification and judgement which are described in the GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government etc. Using other literature, test results etc. as evidence and including different content from this classification result in a label or SDS are allowed.
Hazard statement and precautionary statement will show by hovering the mouse cursor over a code in the column of "Hazard statement" and "Precautionary statement," respectively. In the excel file, both the codes and statements are provided.
A blank or "-" in the column of "Classification" denotes that a classification for the hazard class was not conducted in the year.

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