GHS Classification Results by the Japanese Government

日本語で表示



GENERAL INFORMATION
Item Information
CAS RN 75-44-5
Chemical Name Phosgene
Substance ID R02-B-064-MHLW, MOE
Classification year (FY) FY2020
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 (FY2019 revised edition (Ver. 2.0))
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 classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
2 Flammable gases Not classified
-
-
- - It was classified as "Not classified" from information that it is non-combustible gas (GESTIS (Access on May 2020)).
3 Aerosols Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Not aerosol products. It was classified as "Not classified."
4 Oxidizing gases Not classified
-
-
- - It is classified in Division 2.3, Subsidiary Risk 8 in UNRTDG (UN1076), and it is not classified in Division 5.1, including Subsidiary Risk. Therefore, it was classified as "Not classified."
5 Gases under pressure Low pressure liquefied gas


Warning
- - It was classified as low-pressure liquefied gases from a critical temperature of 182.3 deg C (GESTIS (Access on May 2020)).
6 Flammable liquids Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
7 Flammable solids Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
13 Oxidizing liquids Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
14 Oxidizing solids Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
15 Organic peroxides Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification is not possible because test methods applicable to gas substances are not available. Besides, there is information that it produces hydrogen chloride and attacks many metals in the presence of water (ICSC (2013)).
17 Desensitized explosives Not classified (Not applicable)
-
-
- - Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."

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
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Classification not possible
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) Category 1


Danger
H330 P304+P340
P403+P233
P260
P271
P284
P310
P320
P405
P501
[Rationale for the Classification]
It was classified in Category 1 from (1), (2).

[Evidence Data]
(1) LC50 for rats (4 hours): 0.0086 mg/L (2.1 ppm) (MAK (DFG) (2015))
(2) It is reported that the LC50 in humans was 500 ppm (1 minute), and exposure at 3 ppm for 170 minutes was equally as fatal as exposure at 30 ppm for 17 minutes (ACGIH (7th, 2001), HSDB (Access on May 2020)).
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Not classified
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) Not classified
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Gas (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2


Warning
H315 P302+P352
P332+P313
P362+P364
P264
P280
P321
[Rationale for the Classification]
It was classified in Category 2 from (1) - (5).

[Evidence Data]
(1) Skin irritation of this substance is possible if concentrations are high enough (EHC 193 (1997)).
(2) This substance is a severe skin irritant (IPCS PIM 419 (1997)).
(3) Skin disorders or disorders in the anterior part of the eye due to work involving exposure to phosgene were designated as disease designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on Appended Table 1-2 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act (Notice No. 33).
(4) Skin contact with this substance (liquid) is not thought to produce severe irritation (GESTIS (Access on May 2020)).
(5) There is a possibility of dermal burning with massive exposures to this substance, and some dermal irritation with lower exposures (HSDB (Access on May 2020)).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2


Warning
H319 P305+P351+P338
P337+P313
P264
P280
[Rationale for the Classification]
It was classified in Category 2 from (1) - (5). The classification result was changed because a clear rationale for sub-categorization could not be obtained.

[Evidence Data]
(1) This substance is an extremely dangerous gas, and initial symptoms of exposure may include eye irritation and burning (ACGIH (7th, 2001)).
(2) This substance is extremely irritating to the eye (IPCS PIM 419 (1997)).
(3) This substance produced eye irritation at or above 4 ppm and severe eye irritation and airway irritation at or above 10 ppm (US AEGL (2002), GESTIS (Access on May 2020)).
(4) Skin disorders or disorders in the anterior part of the eye due to work involving exposure to phosgene were designated as disease designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on Appended Table 1-2 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act (Notice No. 33).
(5) Severe exposure to this substance (liquid) might result in corneal opacification (HSDB (Access on May 2020)).

[Reference Data, etc.]
(6) Eye irritation and corneal edema were reported in dogs exposed to lethal concentrations (EHC 193 (1997)).
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Classification not possible due to lack of data.
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Classification not possible due to lack of data.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Not classified
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
It was classified as "Not classified" from (1), (2).

[Evidence Data]
(1) As for in vivo, it was not clastogenic, aneuploidogenic, or capable of inducing sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei after 6-hour inhalation exposure of mice to this substance (MAK (DFG) (2015), IRIS Tox. Review (2006), HSDB (Access on May 2020)).
(2) As for in vitro, it was reported to be negative in a bacterial reverse mutation test by exposure to this substance in gases (MAK (DFG) (2015), IRIS Tox. Review (2006), HSDB (Access on May 2020)).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
There was no available report in humans. From (1), it was classified as "Classification not possible."

[Evidence Data]
(1) As for classification results by domestic and international organizations, EPA classified it in I (inadequate information to assess carcinogenic potential) (IRIS (2006)).

[Reference Data, etc.]
(2) In a cohort study, among male workers employed during the same period, 694 workers exposed daily to this substance and 9,280 workers not exposed were compared (the duration of exposure: 2 months to 1 year, the follow-up period: 30 years), and SMRs for respiratory diseases and lung cancer were not significantly different between controls and exposed workers. Because of the small sample sizes, this study was not adequate for evaluating potential cancer risk in humans (IRIS (2006)).
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Classification was not possible due to lack of data.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (respiratory organs)


Danger
H370 P308+P311
P260
P264
P270
P321
P405
P501
[Rationale for the Classification]
Based on (1) to (5), it was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs).

[Evidence Data]
(1) Numerous human fatalities have been linked to phosgene anoxia, and survivors developed massive pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, atelectasis and bronchitis. Initial symptoms (coughing, dyspnea, ocular irritation and burning) were followed hours later by bronchiolitis, peribronchial edema and massive pulmonary congestion (ACGIH (7th, 2001)).
(2) After this substance was inhaled, it slowly hydrolyzed in the alveoli and liberated hydrogen chloride and chlorine, causing delayed deaths usually at 6 to 24 hours after exposure (ACGIH (7th, 2001)).
(3) This substance had a smell that could be sensed at 1.6 mg/m3 and caused irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat at 12 mg/m3, damages to the lungs at or above 120 mg/m3-min, and pulmonary edema at or above 600 mg/m3-min (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol. 3, Tentative Hazard Assessment Sheet (Ministry of the Environment, 2004)).
(4) In 1966, a leak accident of this substance occurred in Japan, and 382 people were exposed to this substance. 12 out of them were hospitalized and complained of headache, nausea, coughing, respiratory abnormalities, fatigue, sore throat, constriction of the chest, chest pain, and fever. In addition, lacrimation and redness of the eyes were observed in one person. As a result of an X-ray inspection conducted 48 hours after the exposure, 7 people were diagnosed as having pulmonary edema. These findings indicated that pulmonary edema could develop even if no symptoms of irritation to the eyes or nose were observed (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol. 3 (Ministry of the Environment, 2004), EHC 193 (1997)).
(5) Subjective symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vomiting, skin disorders, disorders of the anterior part of the eye, or respiratory tract/lung disorders caused by phosgene were designated as occupational diseases in Appended Table 1-2 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act (Ministry of Labour Notification No. 33, 1996)).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (respiratory organs)


Danger
H372 P260
P264
P270
P314
P501
[Rationale for the Classification]
Based on (1) to (3), it was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs).

[Evidence Data]
(1) When this substance comes in contact with water, it is hydrolyzed to hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide. The same reaction also occurs in the body. When it is inhaled, it enters bronchioles, alveoli, etc., and then it gradually decomposes. The resulting hydrochloric acid causes hyperemia of the lungs, pulmonary edema, etc., leading to pneumonia. In pulmonary edema, up to 30 to 50% of circulating plasma may accumulate in the lungs, resulting in a state of so-called "drowning on land." This causes the blood to become concentrated and the blood flow is impaired, resulting in a deficiency of oxygen in tissues. The strain on the heart gradually increases, leading to weakened heart. In some cases, lung abscess occurs. Such symptoms as intense cough, brown phlegm, dyspnea, cyanosis, and infrequent pulse appear, and finally death from suffocation and cardiac debility occurs. It is also said that pulmonary disorders may be associated with acylation reaction of biogenic components in addition to hydrochloric acid (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol. 3, Tentative Hazard Assessment Sheet (Ministry of the Environment, 2004)).
(2) In an examination of 5 workers who had repeated exposure to small amounts of this substance during the course of 1.5 to 3.5 years, lung emphysema in 2 cases and ventilatory abnormalities in all cases were observed (HSDB (Access on May 2020)).
(3) Subjective symptoms such as headache, dizziness,vomiting, skin disorders, disorders of the anterior part of the eye, or respiratory tract/lung disorders caused by phosgene were designated as occupational diseases in Appended Table 1-2 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act (Ministry of Labour Notification No. 33, 1996)).
10 Aspiration hazard Not classified
-
-
- - [Rationale for the Classification]
Gas (GHS definition)

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Pictogram
Signal word
Hazard statement
(code)
Precautionary statement
(code)
Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment Short term (Acute) Classification not possible
-
-
- - No data available.
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment Long term (Chronic) Classification not possible
-
-
- - No data available.
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.
  • An asterisk “*” in the column of “Classification” denotes that “Not classified (or No applicable)” and/or “Classification not possible” is applicable. Details are described in the column of “Rationale for the classification”. If no English translation is available for “Rationale for the classification,” please refer to the Japanese version of the results.

To GHS Information