GHS Classification Result
GENERAL INFORMATION
REFERENCE INFORMATION
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
NOTE:
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| CAS RN | - |
| Chemical Name | Cotton dust |
| Substance ID | H27-A-021/C-021A_P |
| Classification year (FY) | FY2015 |
| Ministry who conducted the classification | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)/Ministry of the Environment (MOE) |
| New/Revised | New |
| Classification result in other fiscal year | |
| 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 (Ver. 1.1)) |
| UN GHS document (External link) | UN GHS document |
| Definitions/Abbreviations (Excel file) | Definitions/Abbreviations |
| Model Label by MHLW (External link) | |
| Model SDS by MHLW (External link) | |
| OECD/eChemPortal (External link) | eChemPortal |
| Hazard class | Classification | Pictogram Signal word |
Hazard statement (code) |
Precautionary statement (code) |
Rationale for the classification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | It is estimated that there are no chemical groups present in the molecule associated with explosive properties. |
| 2 | Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 3 | Aerosols | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | Not an aerosol product. |
| 4 | Oxidizing gases | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 5 | Gases under pressure | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 6 | Flammable liquids | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 7 | Flammable solids | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | It is combustible, but the classification is not possible due to no data. |
| 8 | Self-reactive substances and mixtures | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | It is estimated that there are no chemical groups present in the molecule associated with explosive or self-reactive properties. |
| 9 | Pyrophoric liquids | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 10 | Pyrophoric solids | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to no data, the classification is not possible. |
| 11 | Self-heating substances and mixtures | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | The classification is not possible due to no data. Besides, cotton waste (oily) and cotton (wet) are assigned UN1364 and UN1365 respectively in UNRTDG classification and are both classified in class 4.2, PGIII. They are self-heating and correspond to Category 2. |
| 12 | Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | Not containing metals or metalloids (B, Si, P, Ge, As, Se, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Po, At). |
| 13 | Oxidizing liquids | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 14 | Oxidizing solids | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | It is an organic compound which does not contain fluorine or chlorine but contains oxygen, and the oxygen is not chemically bonded to the elements other than carbon or hydrogen. |
| 15 | Organic peroxides | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | It is an organic compound that does not contain bivalent -O-O- structure in the molecule. |
| 16 | Corrosive to metals | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | No established test method suitable for solid substances. |
| Hazard class | Classification | Pictogram Signal word |
Hazard statement (code) |
Precautionary statement (code) |
Rationale for the classification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acute toxicity (Oral) | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| 1 | Acute toxicity (Dermal) | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| 1 | Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 1 | Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) | Not applicable |
- |
- | - | "Solids" according to GHS definition. |
| 1 | Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| 2 | Skin corrosion/irritation | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. Besides, it is written that wearing garments induces irritation and chemical residues could cause skin reaction (IARC 48 (1990)). |
| 3 | Serious eye damage/eye irritation | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| 4 | Respiratory sensitization | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| 4 | Skin sensitization | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. Besides, it is written that "irritant fibres" or chemical residues could cause skin reaction when wearing garments (IARC 48 (1990)). |
| 5 | Germ cell mutagenicity | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| 6 | Carcinogenicity | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Carcinogenicity evaluation by IARC was conducted including epidemiological studies on exposure to cotton dust. Because there is limited evidence for increased risk of carcinogenicity such as bladder cancer and nasal cavity tumor in workers in the textile manufacturing industry, IARC classified in Group 2B (IARC 48 (1990)). On the other hand, ACGIH investigated literature published by the middle of 2009 as follows: it is reported that in a study in female workers engaged in the textile industry and exposed to cotton dust, a risk for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer increased and supraglottic laryngeal cancer cases were significantly associated with the previous history of exposure to cotton dust; on the other hand, it is reported that significantly decreased risk for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer was reported in workers exposed to cotton dust; it is reported that in a case-control study of paranasal cancer in female workers in occupational exposure, there is an association of cancer with the history of exposure to all fibers including wool and synthetic, but no association in limiting to cotton dust; it is reported that in a case-control study, there was an association of rectal cancer and cases in occupational exposure to cotton dust for over 15 years in subjects with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; however, in many other study reports, there was no excess risk of carcinogenicity in workers handling cotton dust (ACGIH (7th, 2010)). Instead, in multiple epidemiological study reports, lung cancer mortality and pancreatic cancer incidence had been reduced in cotton dust exposed groups vice versa, and it is even speculated that endotoxin included in cotton dust may have protective effects against lung cancer (ACGIH (7th, 2010)). From the above, ACGIH classified carcinogenicity in occupational exposure to cotton dust in A4 (ACGIH (7th, 2010)). Also in this classification, the substance was classified as "Classification not possible" by supporting the ACGIH's classification. |
| 7 | Reproductive toxicity | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. Besides, it is written that in a Czech national surveillance system for congenital malformations, a significant association between exposure to cotton dust in parents and an incidence of malformations was observed (ACGIH (7th, 2010)), but no other available data for the classification. |
| 8 | Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure | Category 1 (respiratory organs) |
 Danger |
H370 | P308+P311 P260 P264 P270 P321 P405 P501 |
This substance is known for effects on respiratory organs in humans and experimental animals. As for humans, cotton textile workers (inhalation exposure at 0.62 mg/m3) showed a cough, a feeling of chest tightness, shortness of breath, dyspnea, as well as a significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and acute effects on lung function. Besides, cotton dust workers (unknown concentration) showed the similar acute signs, known as so-called byssinosis. In inhalation experiments using volunteers, bronchoconstriction was observed at 167 mg/mL of diluent pulverized cotton bracts (ACGIH (7th, 2010), PATTY (6th, 2012)). There is other knowledge that health effects by acute and chronic exposure to cotton dust are decreased lung function, a feeling of chest tightness (byssinosis), and hypersensitive bronchitis (IARC 48 (1990), PATTY (6th, 2012)). As for experimental animals, physiological airway responsive provocation is known as a guinea pig model of byssinosis by acute dust inhalation as it is in humans. It is reported that polymorphonuclear cell infiltration to bronchi and alveoli is a critical mechanism. Cynomolgus monkeys were in single intratracheal inhalation exposure to aerosolized soluble cotton dust extract (34 or 100 mg/mL) in a test, in which a more than 45% decrease in dynamic respiratory resistance and bronchoconstriction potential of this substance were shown (ACGIH (7th, 2010)). From the above, effects of this substance on respiratory organs cannot be classified from experimental animal data. However, because apparent effects on respiratory organs are known in humans, and the similar effects as in humans are also known in animals, the substance was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs). |
| 9 | Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure | Category 1 (respiratory organs) |
Danger |
H372 | P260 P264 P270 P314 P501 |
As for humans, byssinosis, decreased lung function, and chronic bronchitis were reported (ACGIH (7th, 2010), PATTY (6th, 2012)). In a histopathological examination, emphysema, pulmonary heart, the deposit of dust in the lung, squamous epithelial metaplasia, inflammation in bronchi, mucous gland hyperplasia, goblet cell dysplasia and so on were reported (PATTY (6th, 2012)). Therefore, the substance was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs). Besides, as for experimental animals, in a 52-week inhalation exposure test using guinea pigs, changes in breathing rate and depth, bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia, and type II cell hyperplasia were observed at 21 mg/m3 within the range of Category 2 (ACGIH (7th, 2010)). |
| 10 | Aspiration hazard | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | Due to lack of data, the classification is not possible. |
| Hazard class | Classification | Pictogram Signal word |
Hazard statement (code) |
Precautionary statement (code) |
Rationale for the classification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute) | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | No data. |
| 11 | Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | No data. |
| 12 | Hazardous to the ozone layer | Classification not possible |
- |
- | - | No data. |
NOTE:
| * A blank or "-" in a cell of classification denotes that the classification of the hazard class was not conducted. * Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement will show when hovering the mouse over a code of Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement. Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement are also provided in the Excel file. * 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. * Codes assigned to each of the hazard statements and codes for each of the precautionary statement are based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in United Nations. |