NITE - Chemical Management Field

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	7487-94-7
Chemical Name	Mercury dichloride
Substance ID	m-nite-7487-94-7_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.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
2	Flammable gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
3	Aerosols	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Not aerosol products.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
4	Oxidizing gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
5	Gases under pressure	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
6	Flammable liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
7	Flammable solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is not combustible (ICSC (2003)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
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.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
9	Pyrophoric liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
10	Pyrophoric solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is not combustible (ICSC (2003)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Not classified	- -	-	-	It is not combustible (ICSC (2003)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Not classified	- -	-	-	The substance contains a metal (Hg), but from water solubility data of 7.4 mg/L (ICSC (2003)), it is estimated that it does not react vigorously with water.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
13	Oxidizing liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
14	Oxidizing solids	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound containing chlorine, but the classification is not possible due to no data.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
15	Organic peroxides	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	It is an inorganic compound.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
16	Corrosive to metals	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
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)	Category 2	Danger	H300	P301+P310 P264 P270 P321 P330 P405 P501	It was classified in Category 2 based on LD50 values for rats of 25.9-77.7 mg Hg/kg (as mercury dichloride: 35.1-105 mg/kg) (ATSDR (1999)) and 37 mg/kg (JECFA 1155 (2011)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Data are lacking. Besides, there is a report on an LD50 value of 41 mg/kg for rats: List 3 data (RTECS (2011)), but the details are unknown.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Category 2	Warning	H315	P302+P352 P332+P313 P362+P364 P264 P280 P321	It was classified in Category 2 because it is described that this substance is primarily an irritant to the skin and mucous membranes (ATSDR (1999)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Category 2A	Warning	H319	P305+P351+P338 P337+P313 P264 P280	It was classified in Category 2A because it is described that this substance is primarily an irritant to the mucous membranes (ATSDR (1999)). Besides, it is also described that it is corrosive to the eye (HSDB (2010)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
4	Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
4	Skin sensitization	Category 1	Warning	H317	P302+P352 P333+P313 P362+P364 P261 P272 P280 P321 P501	It was classified in Category 1 because the Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) classified mercury and its compounds in occupational skin sensitizers Group 1 (Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits Vol. 53 (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2011)). Furthermore, the Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology and Contact Dermatitis also listed this substance as a skin sensitizer (Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology and Contact Dermatitis (2008)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
5	Germ cell mutagenicity	Category 2	Warning	H341	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	It was classified in Category 2 based on a positive result in a chromosomal aberration test with bone marrow after oral administration to mice (in vivo somatic cell mutagenicity test) (DFGMAK Doc.15 (2001), IARC 58 (1993)). Besides, other than this, it was reported to be negative in an in-vivo chromosomal aberration test by intraperitoneal administration to mice (DFGMAK Doc.15 (2001)). Also, it was reported to be weakly positive in multiple dominant lethal tests with mice, but it was not adopted as evidence of the classification because it is described that because of inadequacies of test methods and others, these cannot be considered to provide evidence of a mutagenic effect (DFGMAK Doc.15 (2001)). On the other hand, as for in vitro tests, it was reported to be negative in an Ames test (DFGMAK Doc.15 (2001), NTP DB (Access on Sep. 2011)), but positive results were obtained in multiple in vitro mutagenicity tests: positive in a chromosomal aberration test with CHO cells (IARC 58 (1993)), positive in a chromosomal aberration test and a micronucleus test with human lymphocytes (DFGMAK Doc.15 (2001)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
6	Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	It was classified as "Classification not possible" because metallic mercury and inorganic mercury compounds were classified in Group 3 for carcinogenicity by IARC (IARC 58 (1993)) and A4 by ACGIH (ACGIH (2001)). Also, EPA classified them in C (IRIS (2002)). Besides, in 2-year oral administration tests with rats and mice, there is a report on an increased incidence of squamous cell papillomas of the forestomach and marginally increased incidences of thyroid follicular cell adenomas and carcinomas in male rats, an increased incidence of squamous cell papillomas of the forestomach in female rats, and occurrences of renal tubule tumors in male mice, and it was concluded that there was some evidence of carcinogenicity in male rats (NTP TR 408 (1993)).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
7	Reproductive toxicity	Category 1B	Danger	H360	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	In a two-generation reproductive test by oral administration to rats, F0 generation showed significant dose-dependent reductions in fertility index and reduced implant efficiency in all groups (JECFA 1155 (2011)), there were slightly decreased implantations and increased non-viable implantations in a test by oral administration to female rats for 60 days before mating (JECFA 1155 (2011)), and when male mice were orally administered for 45 days and mated with control females, mating success was reduced to 0% at the dose where no general toxicity was seen (1.25 mg/kg) (JECFA 1155 (2011)). On the other hand, in humans, it is reported that in an attempt to terminate her pregnancy, a pregnant woman ingested this substance and had a spontaneous abortion after 13 days (ATSDR (1999)). From the above, because adverse reproductive effects were reported at doses without general toxicity, it was classified in Category 1B.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 1 (kidney, gastrointestinal tract, liver, cardiovascular system, respiratory organs, nervous system)	Danger	H370	P308+P311 P260 P264 P270 P321 P405 P501	It is described that deaths resulting from oral exposure to inorganic mercury were attributed to renal failure, cardiovascular collapse, and severe gastrointestinal damage (CICAD 50 (2003)). There is a report on 18 cases (including nine who died) of human poisoning following oral ingestion of single doses of this substance, and it is reported that the most common findings were gastrointestinal lesions (ranging from mild gastritis to severe necrotizing ulceration of the mucosa) and renal lesions that resulted in renal failure (EHC 118 (1991)). Therefore, it was classified in Category 1 (kidney, gastrointestinal tract). Also, it was classified in Category 1 (cardiovascular system) because it is reported that in a man who ingested mercury chloride in a suicide attempt, an abnormal electrocardiogram was reported, including no P wave, prolongation of the QRS segment, and a high T wave (CICAD 50 (2003)). On the other hand, it was classified in Category 1 (liver) based on case reports of a 35-year-old man who had jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and an enlarged liver by autopsy from ingestion of mercury chloride, and a 19-month old boy who ingested powdered mercury chloride and showed hepatic enlargement (CICAD 50 (2003)). In the case reports, the 35-year-old man had severe pulmonary edema, and fine rales were detected in the 19-month old boy. Therefore, it was classified in Category 1 (respiratory system). Furthermore, it was classified in Category 1 (nervous system) because blurred vision, diplopia, repeated seizures prior to death, and abscesses on the occipital lobe and cerebellum by autopsy were observed in the 35-year-old man (ATSDR (1999)), and irritability, fretfulness, sleeplessness, etc. were reported in infants who were exposed to diapers rinsed in a mercury chloride-containing solution (CICAD 50 (2003)). From the above, it was classified in Category 1 (kidney, gastrointestinal tract, liver, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, nervous system) for this hazard class.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (nervous system, kidney, respiratory organs, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract)	Danger	H372	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	It is described that the major target organs of toxicity induced by metallic mercury or inorganic mercury compounds are the kidney and central nervous system, and at high exposure levels, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects also occur (ATSDR (1999)). As for the nervous system, it is reported that occupational exposure results in erethism, a fine tremor develops in the hands with continuing exposure, and decreased nerve conduction velocity in mercury-exposed workers has been demonstrated (EHC (J) 118 (1997)). As for the kidney, the kidney is the critical organ following the ingestion of inorganic divalent mercury salts, and there is a report of developing nephritis due to occupational exposure (EHC (J) 118 (1997)). As for animal tests, it is reported that increased severity of chronic nephropathy was seen after 26-week repeated oral administration of this substance to rats (doses: 1.25-5 mg/kg/day), and cytoplasmic vacuolation of the renal tubule epithelial cells was observed for mice (doses: 5-20 mg/kg/day) (NTP TR 408 (1993)). Also, it is described that deaths resulting from oral exposure to inorganic mercury were attributed to renal failure, cardiovascular collapse, and severe gastrointestinal damage (CICAD 50 (2003)), and exposure to this substance caused ulcerative gastroenteritis (EHC (J) 118 (1997)). From the above, it was classified in Category 1 (nervous system, kidney, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract) for this hazard class.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）

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)	Category 1	Warning	H400	P273 P391 P501	It was classified in Category 1 from 48-hour LC50 = 1.8-4.3 microg/L (a converted value equivalent to mercury dichloride: 2.4-5.8 microg/L) for crustacea (Daphnia magna) (EHC86, 1989).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Long term (Chronic)	Category 1	Warning	H410	P273 P391 P501	It was classified in Category 1 due to the unknown behavior of the metal in water and 21-day NOEC = 0.003 mg/L for crustacea (Daphnia magna) (AQUIRE, 2012).	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	This substance is not listed in the Annexes to the Montreal Protocol.	FY2011	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）

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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