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GHS Classification Results by the Japanese Government

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	7664-39-3
Chemical Name	Hydrofluoric acid
Substance ID	R03-B-009-MHLW
Classification year (FY)	FY2021
Ministry who conducted the classification	Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
New/Revised	Revised
Classification result in other fiscal year	FY2017 FY2017 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)	- -	-	-	There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.
2	Flammable gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
3	Aerosols	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Not aerosol products.
4	Oxidizing gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
5	Gases under pressure	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
6	Flammable liquids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It was classified as "Not classified" from information that it is not combustible (70% aqueous solution) (ICSC (2017)).
7	Flammable solids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
8	Self-reactive substances and mixtures	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	There are no chemical groups present in the molecule associated with explosive or self-reactive properties.
9	Pyrophoric liquids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It was classified as "Not classified" from information that it is not combustible (70% aqueous solution) (ICSC (2017)).
10	Pyrophoric solids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Not classified	- -	-	-	It was classified as "Not classified" from information that it is not combustible (70% aqueous solution) (ICSC (2017)).
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Not classified (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	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound containing halogen atom (F) (but not oxygen), but the classification is not possible due to no data.
14	Oxidizing solids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
15	Organic peroxides	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound.
16	Corrosive to metals	Category 1	Warning	H290	P234 P390 P406	It was classified in Category 1 from information that it is corrosive to most metals (ICSC (2017)). Besides, the 70% aqueous solution is classified in Class 8, Subsidiary Risk 6.1, PG I in UNRTDG (UN1790).
17	Desensitized explosives	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
1	Acute toxicity (Oral)	Category 2	Danger	H300	P301+P310 P264 P270 P321 P330 P405 P501	Hydrofluoric acid classified here is liquid (aqueous solution), and it was classified assuming that it was liquid. Besides, please refer to the classification of "hydrogen fluoride (anhydride, practically gas)" having the same CAS RN. [Rationale for the Classification] Based on (1), it was classified in Category 2. Also, based on the new findings, the classification result was changed. [Evidence Data] (1) It was reported that the human lethal dose of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid by oral ingestion was 1.5 g or 20 mg/kg (Clinical Toxicology (2009)). (2) Hydrogen fluoride and formulations containing hydrogen fluoride have been designated as poisonous substances in the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act.
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Category 3	Danger	H311	P302+P352 P361+P364 P280 P312 P321 P405 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] Based on (1), it was classified in Category 3. Also, based on the new findings, the classification result was changed. [Evidence Data] (1) It was reported that the chemical burn of 7% of the body surface area by 50% to 70% hydrofluoric acid could be fatal (Clinical Toxicology (2009)).
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not classified	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Liquid (GHS definition). It was classified as "Not classified."
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Category 1	Danger	H330	P304+P340 P403+P233 P260 P271 P284 P310 P320 P405 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] Based on (1), it was classified in Category 1. Besides, as for the data in (1), the values converted to mist were used for classification. Based on the new findings, the classification result was changed. [Evidence Data] (1) It was reported that the lethal concentration of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid fume was 50 to 250 ppm (mist, converted 4-hour equivalent value: 0.0008 to 0.004 mg/L) or higher (Clinical Toxicology (2009)).
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Category 1	Danger	H314	P301+P330+P331 P303+P361+P353 P305+P351+P338 P304+P340 P260 P264 P280 P310 P321 P363 P405 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] Based on (1) to (6), it was classified in Category 1. [Evidence Data] (1) Hydrofluoric acid and Hydrogen fluoride (gas) were corrosive or highly irritating to skin and mucosa membranes (DFG MAK (2001)). (2) There was a case of adhesion of hydrofluoric acid to the skin or mucosa causing local corrosion with severe pain and systemic effects, resulting in death. It is stated that, if hydrofluoric acid adheres to 50 to 100 cm2 of the skin, hospitalization is needed and adhesion of 100 cm2 or more requires treatment in an ICU (OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2020)). (3) There was a case report that the use of a cleaning liquid containing 8% hydrofluoric acid resulted in swelling of the fingers with severe pain after 24 hours (OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2020)). (4) In an acute dermal irritation/corrosion test (OECD TG404, 5% aqueous solution, semiocclusive, 4-hour application, observation for 14 days) with rabbits (n=3), marked eschar formation with destruction of underlying tissue was observed and it was not reversible within 14 days (REACH registration dossier (Accessed Nov. 2021)). (5) 0.05 mL of 70% aqueous solution was applied to the skin of rats for 1 minute and rinsed off with a continuous 5-minute wash. As a result, severe damage of the skin including coagulative necrosis down to the dermal muscular junction was observed (AICIS PEC (2001)). (6) In the Ministry of Labour Notification No. 33 issued in1996 (revised by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Notification No. 316 in 2013), this substance is designated as "Hydrofluoric acid (including Hydrogen fluoride)" in simple chemical substances or compounds (including alloys) designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on Appended Table 1-2, (iv) 1 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act, and diseases (skin disorders, disorders in the anterior part of the eye, respiratory tract and lung disorders) with specific symptoms or disorders caused by occupations exposed to this substance as main symptoms or disorders are designated as occupational diseases.
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Category 1	Danger	H318	P305+P351+P338 P280 P310	[Rationale for the Classification] Based on (1) and (2), it was classified in Category 1. [Evidence Data] (1) It was classified in Category 1 for skin corrosion/irritation. (2) In the Ministry of Labour Notification No. 33 issued in 1996 (revised by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Notification No. 316 in 2013), this substance is designated as "Hydrofluoric acid (including Hydrogen fluoride)" in simple chemical substances or compounds (including alloys) designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on Appended Table 1-2, (iv) 1 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act, and diseases (skin disorders, disorders in the anterior part of the eye, respiratory tract and lung disorders) with specific symptoms or disorders caused by occupations exposed to this substance as main symptoms or disorders are designated as occupational diseases. [Reference Data, etc.] (3) It was reported that, in an acute eye irritation/corrosion test with rabbits (equivalent to OECD TG 405, 1% aqueous solution), moderate irritation with corneal opacity was observed (REACH registration dossier (Accessed Nov. 2021)).
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] Based on (1), it was classified as "Not classified." [Evidence Data] (1) Hydrogen fluoride (CAS RN 7664-39-3) was classified as "Not classified" for this hazard class in the GHS classification (GHS classification result in FY2021).
6	Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.
7	Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 1 (respiratory organs, cardiovascular system)	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, cardiovascular system). [Evidence Data] (1) After dermal exposure (about 5% of the body surface) to 80% hydrofluoric acid, dyspnea with pains in the chest and severe hypocalcemia with resultant death were reported (OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2020), DFG MAK (2001)). (2) There was a case report that an accidental exposure to hydrofluoric acid caused fatal acute pulmonary edema (OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2020)). (3) It was reported that splashes of hydrofluoric acid on the face could produce a mixed exposure of transdermal absorption and inhalation, resulting in arrhythmia (OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2020)). (4) It was reported that there were fatal cases of acute pulmonary edema resulting from accidents involving hydrofluoric acid and a hydrofluoric acid splash in the face region could produce a mixed dermal and inhalation exposure which results in cardiac arrhythmias (ACGIH (2005)). (5) Exposure to very high levels of hydrogen fluoride/hydrofluoric acid can result in severe cardiovascular effects, which are attributed to a combination of hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia. It was reported that there was a case in which cardiac arrhythmias were seen in humans following hydrofluoric acid splashes in the face region, and myocardial necrosis and congestion were observed in rabbits (ATSDR (2003)). [Reference Data, etc.] (6) It was reported that, after damage to 44% of the body surface caused by exposure to 30% hydrofluoric acid, tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were reported in one man (DFG MAK (2001)).
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (teeth, bone)	Danger	H372	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] Based on (1), it was classified in Category 1 (teeth, bone). Also, based on the new findings, the classification result was changed. [Evidence Data] (1) It was reported that, in humans, fluorine accumulated in bones and tooth germs, and chronic exposure to high levels of fluoride and hydrogen fluoride resulted in skeletal fluorosis (OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2020)).
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data. [Reference Data, etc.] (1) Since the viscosity is 0.256 mPa*s and the specific gravity is 0.97 at 20 deg C (REACH registration dossier (Accessed Oct. 2021)), the kinematic viscosity is calculated as 0.264 mm2/s (20 deg C).

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)	-	- -	-	-	-
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Long term (Chronic)	-	- -	-	-	-
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.
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.

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