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GHS Classification Result

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	7440-39-3
Chemical Name	Barium
Substance ID	H28-B-003, C-005B
Classification year (FY)	FY2016
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 (Ver. 1.1))
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	- -	-	-	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	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available. Besides, it is written that powder is combustible (HSDB (Access on May 2016)).
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	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available. Besides, it is written that powder may ignite spontaneously in contact with air (ICSC(J) (1999)).
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Category 2	Danger	H261	P231+P232 P335+P334 P370+P378 P402+P404 P223 P280 P501	It is written that it reacts with water and produces flammable/explosive gas (hydrogen) (ICSC (J) (1999)). Moreover, because it is classified in Division 4.3, PG II (UN 1400) in UNRTDG, it was classified in Category 2.
13	Oxidizing liquids	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).
14	Oxidizing solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	Due to a strong reducing agent (ICSC(J) (1999)), it was classified as "Not classified."
15	Organic peroxides	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Barium is an element and inorganic substance not containing oxygen or halogen.
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)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data. Besides, there is information that the LD50 of barium chloride is 132 mg/kg (Evaluation of effect for the food safety Risk Assessment Report (Beverages) (Draft, Food Safety Commission, 2011)).
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	Category 2	Warning	H315	P302+P352 P332+P313 P362+P364 P264 P280 P321	Based on the description of irritation of the skin in EHC 107 (1990), it was classified in Category 2.
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Category 2A	Warning	H319	P305+P351+P338 P337+P313 P264 P280	Based on the description of severe irritation of the eyes in EHC 107 (1990), it was classified in Category 2A.
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	- -	-	-	Since, in carcinogenicity studies using rats or mice administered orally (drinking water) for two years with barium chloride dihydrate, no increase in incidences of neoplasms in any organ were observed (NTP TR432 (1994), CICAD 33 (2001), ACGIH (7th, 2001)), EPA classified barium and its compounds as Group D in the 1986 criteria, and as NL in the 1996 criteria (IRIS (1998)). Similarly, ACGIH also classified barium and its soluble compounds as A4 (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). Therefore, this substance was classified as "Classification not possible" according to the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.
7	Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	It is described that in reproductive studies on male and female rats or mice administered orally (drinking water) with barium chloride dihydrate for 60 days before mating, no clear effects on reproduction and development were observed at up to the dose corresponding to 200 mg/kg/day (CICAD 33 (2001), ATSDR (2007), PATTY (6th, 2012)), however, the interpretation of the result was difficult because the pregnancy rate was low in all of the administration groups including the control group (CICAD 33 (2001)). No other data are available for classification of the reproductive and developmental effects for barium and barium compounds. Therefore, the classification was not possible due to lack of data.
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 1 (nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, muscular system), Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation)	Danger Warning	H370 H335	P308+P311 P260 P264 P270 P321 P405 P501 P304+P340 P403+P233 P261 P271 P312	In humans, as adverse effects of soluble barium compounds by the oral route or inhalation route, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, colic, and diarrhea), myocardial and muscular stimulation, and hypokalemia are reported. It is also reported that in the severe cases, muscular paralysis of the whole body occurs, and that there are some cases resulting in death due to asphyxia or ventricular fibrillation (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). Additionally, it is written that accidental or intentional ingestion of soluble barium compounds at high concentration causes gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain), hypokalemia, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and skeletal muscle paralysis (CICAD 33 (2001)). Because barium reacts with water to form hydrogen and barium hydroxide, barium is thought to have similar effects to soluble barium compounds. From the above, the substance was classified in Category 1 (nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, muscular system). In addition, based on a report that it caused respiratory tract irritation (HDSB (Access on May 2016)), the substance was classified in Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation).
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (cardiovascular system, nervous system, muscular system, kidney)	Danger	H372	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	There is no information on this substance. However, it is said that the toxicities of barium and barium compounds depend largely on solubility, and that their toxicity is inhibitory effects on the potassium channel by the barium ions (ATSDR (2007)). Barium ions and soluble compounds of barium (notably barium chloride, barium nitrate, barium hydroxide) are toxic to humans. Although barium carbonate is relatively insoluble in water, it is toxic to humans because it is soluble in the gastrointestinal tract. The insoluble barium compounds (notably barium sulfate) are inefficient sources of barium ions and are therefore generally nontoxic to humans (ATSDR (2007)). Therefore, this substance is thought to exhibit a similar target organ as soluble barium compounds do. It is reported that incidences of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke increased in a population of neighborhood who ingested drinking water containing water soluble barium such as barium chloride, and that an increase in mortality due to heart diseases such as vascular disorder and arteriosclerosis was observed in other similar groups (ATSDR (2007)). For the inhalation route, increase in the incidence of elevated blood pressure is reported among workers exposed to soluble barium (mean 1.07 g/m3) caused by blending and grinding of several grades of barium at a mineral processing facility (CICAD 33 (2001)). Regarding effects of soluble barium compounds on humans, as an acute effect, it is regarded that gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain), hypopotassemia, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, and skeletal muscle paralysis may be caused by intake at high concentrations (CICAD 33 (2001)) Additionally, there are only several reported cases that renal failure and renal insufficiency occurred as acute barium poisoning. However, as for experimental animals, in 13-week or 2-year studies on barium dichloride or its dihydrate using rats or mice administered by drinking water, death cases attributed to nephropathy were observed at doses above Category 2 (converted guidance value as barium dichloride: 271-803 mg/kg/day) in both species. It is also described that the kidneys are the most sensitive target organ in the experimental animals (ATSDR (2007)). Therefore, it is thought that the kidneys are one of the target organs also in humans. From the above, the substance was classified in Category 1 (cardiovascular system, nervous system, muscular system, kidney) since it was thought that effects of soluble barium compounds including this substance might occur in the cardiovascular system, nervous system, muscular system and kidneys in high probability.
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)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	The classification is not possible because appropriate data are not obtained.
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	The classification is not possible because appropriate data are not obtained.
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.

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.

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