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GHS Classification Result

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	7446-07-3
Chemical Name	Tellurium dioxide
Substance ID	H26-B-070, -
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 present in the molecule associated with explosive properties.
2	Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases)	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
3	Aerosols	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Not aerosol products.
4	Oxidizing gases	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
5	Gases under pressure	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
6	Flammable liquids	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
7	Flammable solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is obtained by burning tellurium (Te) in the air and naturally occurs as ore (Kagaku Jiten, Tokyo Kagaku Dozin Co.,Ltd., 1994). Because it is a stable oxide, it was judged to be not combustible.
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 applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
10	Pyrophoric solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is obtained by burning tellurium (Te) in the air and naturally occurs as ore (Kagaku Jiten, Tokyo Kagaku Dozin Co.,Ltd., 1994). Because it is a stable oxide, it was judged to be not combustible.
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is obtained by burning tellurium (Te) in the air and naturally occurs as ore (Kagaku Jiten, Tokyo Kagaku Dozin Co.,Ltd., 1994). Because it is a stable oxide, it was judged to be not combustible.
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Not classified	- -	-	-	From the result that it is insoluble in water (20 deg C) (GESTIS (Access on August 2014)), it is estimated that it does not react vigorously with water.
13	Oxidizing liquids	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
14	Oxidizing solids	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound containing oxygen (but not halogen), but the classification is not possible due to no data.
15	Organic peroxides	Not applicable	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound.
16	Corrosive to metals	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available.

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
1	Acute toxicity (Oral)	Not classified	- -	-	-	Based on a report of an LD50 value of >5,000 mg/kg for rats (DFGOT vol. 22 (2006)), it was classified as "Not classified."
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
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.
6	Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
7	Reproductive toxicity	Category 1B	Danger	H360	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	Information by oral, inhalation and dermal exposure was not obtained. However, there is a report that in a teratogenicity test with rats by subcutaneous injection, at a dose (13 mg/kg/day) where no maternal toxicity appeared, hydrocephalus and edema were observed in all fetuses, and at a dose (65 mg/kg/day) where maternal toxicity (decreased body weight gain) appeared, effects on fetuses (death, body weight decreased, undescended testes, hydrocephalus, edema, exophthalmos, ocular hemorrhage, umbilical hernia) were observed (DFGOT vol. 22 (2006)). As above, since malformations were observed at a dose where no maternal toxicity was observed, it was classified in Category 1B. Because new data were obtained from information sources in List 1, the category was changed.
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	There were no data on this substance. Besides, as for human cases, there is an only report that by exposure to 2 grams of sodium tellurite through the urinary tract by ureteral catheter, emesis, dyspnea, cyanosis, lapse of consciousness, stupor and renal pain were observed and then patients died after 6 hours, and at autopsy, fatty degeneration and edema of the liver were observed (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). As for experimental animals (species, doses, etc. unknown), prominent features of acute tellurium intoxication were pneumonitis and hemolytic anemia. As oral or parenteral toxic findings, tremor, diminished reflexes, paralysis, convulsions, somnolence, coma and death were observed. In addition, hematuria occurred swiftly in all animals. There is a report that the hydride of tellurium caused pulmonary irritation and intravascular hemolysis (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). However, this substance is largely different from sodium tellurite, tellurium and tellurium hydride in physical properties (especially solubility). Therefore, it was hard to adopt data on those substances for classification, and they were deemed as reference information. From the above, it was classified as "Classification not possible."
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 2 (central nervous system, respiratory organs)	Warning	H373	P260 P314 P501	Among workers who were exposed to tellurium fume (tellurium and tellurium dioxide) by inhalation for 22 months in an iron refining foundry (exposure concentrations during this period were less than 0.1 mg/m3 for 90% of 57 measurements, 0.1-0.29 mg/m3 for 5 times, 0.74 mg/m3 for only 1 time), the breath and the sweat of many workers had a garlic-like odor, and some complained of dryness in the mouth and fatigue. Although 2 out of 62 workers complained of nausea, it is reported that these 2 workers had been particularly close to the tellurium source (DFGOT vol. 22 (2006), ACGIH (7th, 2001)). Other than this report, there were no hazard findings on humans by exposure to this substance. However, there is a description that lethargy, anorexia and nausea occurred by repeated exposure to tellurium. Additionally, it is described that in Great Britain, there were a few cases of persons who developed pulmonary edema possibly by inhalation exposure to elementary tellurium (DFGOT vol. 22 (2006)). As for experimental animals, there is a description that in a test in which rats were exposed to elementary tellurium or tellurium dioxide (10-100 mg/m3 (estimated as fumes)) by inhalation for 13-15 weeks (2 hours/day), somnolence, irritation of the respiratory tract and hemal effects (reduction in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin content), garlic-like odor of the breath and exuded fluid from organs were observed at concentrations within the range for category 1-2 (converted guidance value: 0.0033-0.033 mg/L/6 hours) (DFGOT vol. 22 (2006)). On the other hand, there is a description that in a test in which rats were administrated this substance by feeding at doses equivalent to 150 mg/kg/day or less for 128 days, a dose-dependently decreased body weight gain, garlic-like odor of the breath and the others, paralysis of the hind legs, edema, etc. were observed. Although deaths occurred at a high concentration (considered to be equivalent to exceeding category), and necrotic changes in the liver and kidney tubules were observed in these death cases (DFGOT vol. 22 (2006)), from this test result, it was impossible to identify the target organs at doses within or lower than Category 2. As above, in humans, although the target organs were not clear, based on the cases of exposure to this substance or elemental tellurium, it was considered that the central nervous system and respiratory organs may be the target organs. Additionally, also in a repeated inhalation exposure test with rats, the central nervous system symptoms and irritation of the respiratory organs were observed. However, because it is hard to say that there was sufficient evidence both on humans and experimental animals for classifying in Category 1, it was classified in Category 2 (central nervous system, respiratory organs). Besides, the classification result in the previous classification was based on the information source outside the List, and in this classification, it was classified based on information sources in List 1, therefore, the result was changed.
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.

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)	-	- -	-	-	-
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term)	-	- -	-	-	-
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	-	- -	-	-	-

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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