NITE - Chemical Management Field

Latest GHS Classification Results by the Japanese Government (edited by NITE)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	12001-29-5
Chemical Name	Chrysotile (White asbestos)
Substance ID	m-nite-12001-29-5_v1
Download of Excel format	Excel file

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Item	Information
Guidance used for the classification (External link)	To Guidance List
UN GHS document (External link)	To UN GHS document
FAQ（GHS classification results by the Japanese Government）	To FAQ
List of Information Sources (Excel file)	List of Information Sources
List of Definitions/Abbreviations	Definitions/Abbreviations
Sample Label by MHLW (External link)	MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
Sample SDS by MHLW (External link)	MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
OECD/eChemPortal (External link)	To OECD/eChemPortal (External link)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification	Classification year (FY)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government
1	Explosives	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
2	Flammable gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
3	Aerosols	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Not aerosol products.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
4	Oxidizing gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
5	Gases under pressure	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
6	Flammable liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
7	Flammable solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is not combustible (ICSC (J) (2010)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
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.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
9	Pyrophoric liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
10	Pyrophoric solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is not combustible (ICSC (J) (2010)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is not combustible (ICSC (J) (2010)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Not classified	- -	-	-	Because there is an observation result that it is insoluble in water (ICSC (J) (2010)), it is estimated that it does not react vigorously with water.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
13	Oxidizing liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
14	Oxidizing solids	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound containing oxygen, but the classification is not possible due to no data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
15	Organic peroxides	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
16	Corrosive to metals	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
17	Desensitized explosives	-	- -	-	-	-	-	-

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification	Classification year (FY)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government
1	Acute toxicity (Oral)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Solid (GHS definition)	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
4	Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
4	Skin sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
5	Germ cell mutagenicity	Category 2	Warning	H341	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] It was classified in Category 2 based on (1)-(3). [Evidence Data] (1) This substance is one type of asbestos. Asbestos may induce genotoxicity directly by catalyzing the generation of reactive oxygen species. Also, it is possible to physically interfere with the mitotic apparatus of the cell and this may result in aneuploidy of chromosomes and specific chromosomal alterations (IARC 100C (2012)). (2) In chromosomal analysis of the peripheral blood lymphocytes of humans exposed to this substance, a mild increase in sister chromatid exchange (frequency) was observed (ATSDR (2001)). (3) As for in vitro, in chromosomal aberration tests with human lymphocytes, cultured mammalian cells, and so on, and the sister chromatid exchange tests and the micronucleus test with cultured mammalian cells, most of the results were positive (partially negative) (ATSDR (2001)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
6	Carcinogenicity	Category 1A	Danger	H350	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] It was classified in Category 1A based on data on human and experimental animals in (1), (2) and based on the classifications by other organizations in (3) and (4). [Evidence Data] (1) It is reported that lung cancer was observed in high-frequency among the workers exposed to this substance (ATSDR (2001)), and that there is a correlation between the occupational exposure to this substance and the incidence of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. In addition, there are reports of increased incidence of gastrointestinal tract cancers in groups occupationally exposed to this substance (IARC 100C (2012)). (2) As for experimental animals, as a result of inhalation exposure to two lots with the standard sample of this substance to rats for a maximum of two years, the incidence of intrathoracic tumors were 65% and 52% respectively. In similar tests, the incidence of thoracic tumors with amosite and crocidolite were 62% and 72% respectively. (3) According to (1), (2) and other numerous experimental evidence, IARC concluded that there is sufficient evidence in humans for carcinogenicity of all six types of asbestos (this substance, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite) and classified the classification of carcinogenicity as Group 1 (IARC 100C (2012)). (4) As for the classifications by other domestic and foreign organizations, it is classified as A1 by ACGIH (ACGIH (7th, 2001)) and as Carc.1A by EU CLP. Also, asbestos is classified as Group 1 by Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH) (Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits (2018): proposed in 1981), as A by EPA (IRIS (1988)), and as K by NTP (NTP RoC (14th, 2016)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
7	Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] It is reported that there were no effects on the fertility of parental animals from (1) and no developmental effects after administration during the gestation period from (2). However, there is no description of general toxic effects on parental animals, so it is not possible to judge whether the dose to the parental animals was sufficient. Therefore, it could not be classified as "Not classified" based on the results of (1) and (2) alone, so it was classified as "Classification not possible." [Evidence Data] (1) After dosing by feeding at up to 830 mg/kg/day to rats and hamsters during the gestation and lactation period, neither adverse effect on the fertility of parental animals nor malformations of offspring were observed (ATSDR (2001)). (2) After dosing with drinking water at up to 33 mg/kg/day to pregnant mice on Gestational Day 1-15, no developmental effects on fetuses were observed (ATSDR (2001)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
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] As for acute effects of this substance, there is no report in either humans or experimental animals. However, based on (1), it is considered that serious respiratory lesions such as pulmonary fibrosis occur as a delayed effect after single inhalation exposure at a dose within the range of Category 1 in experimental animals, while the onset time is unknown. Thus, it was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs) as a medium to long-term effect of single exposure. [Evidence Data] (1) There is a report that pulmonary fibrosis occurred as a result of inhalation exposure to chrysotile with mice for 5 hours at the concentration of 132 fibers/mL (equivalent to 4 mg/m3, converted 4-hour equivalent value: 0.005 mg/L) within the range of Category 1 (ATSDR (2001)). [Reference Data, etc.] (2) Although it is from data from another hazard class (carcinogenicity), as a result of a single inhalation exposure to the standard sample (UICC/A) of this substance with rats for 7 hours at the concentration of 14.7 mg/m3 (converted 4-hour equivalent value: 0.026 mg/L) within the range of Category 1, thoracic tumors were observed in 5/45 animals (11%) (IARC 110C (2012)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (respiratory organs)	Danger	H372	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	[Rationale for the Classification] It was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs) based on (1)-(3). [Evidence Data] (1) In numerous epidemiological research reports regarding occupational exposure, respiratory lesions derived from inhalation exposure to this substance or simultaneous exposure to this substance with crocidolite and amosite are reported. Findings of respiratory lesions, include various reports of cases such as shortness of breath, anomalies of the lung parenchyma in chest x-ray and pleura thickening, etc., cases diagnosed as pulmonary fibrosis, cases diagnosed as pneumoconiosis or fatal asbestosis, and cases of chronic pharyngitis (ATSDR (2001)). (2) All types of asbestos are known to cause asbestosis, pleura changes and neoplastic lesions. However, based on the experimental and epidemiologic results, it is considered that there are differences in the potential of the different asbestos types to produce respiratory disease, and that this substance has the smallest potential, amosite has the intermediate, and crocidolite has the greatest (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). (3) As for experimental animals, an increase in pulmonary fibrosis was observed as a result of inhalation exposure to this substance for one or two years with rats (ATSDR (2012)).	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	[Rationale for the Classification] Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification	Classification year (FY)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Short term (Acute)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Long term (Chronic)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Reliable chronic toxicity data were not obtained. It was classified as "Classification not possible" because environmental dynamics of the inorganic compound are unknown, and appropriate information on water solubility or bioaccumulation was not obtained.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2018	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))

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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