NITE - Chemical Management Field

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	7757-79-1
Chemical Name	Potassium nitrate
Substance ID	m-nite-7757-79-1_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	- -	-	-	The substance does not fall under Explosives since it is classified into Division 5.1, UN1486 in UNRTDG though it contains chemical groups (-NO3) associated with explosive properties.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
2	Flammable gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
3	Aerosols	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Not aerosol products.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
4	Oxidizing gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
5	Gases under pressure	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
6	Flammable liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
7	Flammable solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
8	Self-reactive substances and mixtures	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	The substance is classified as Oxidizing solid.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
9	Pyrophoric liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
10	Pyrophoric solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Not classified	- -	-	-	Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Not classified	- -	-	-	Although the substance contains a metal (K) in the molecule, the water solubility data as "complete" (357 g/L H2O (25 degC)) (ICSC (J) (2001)) is obtained and it is considered that the substance does not react vigorously with water.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
13	Oxidizing liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid at room temperature (ICSC (J) (2001))	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
14	Oxidizing solids	Category 3	Warning	H272	P370+P378 P210 P220 P280 P501	The substance is classified into Division 5.1, PG III, UN1486 in UNRTDG.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
15	Organic peroxides	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	The substance is not an organic compound.	FY2010	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.	FY2010	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)	Not classified	- -	-	-	Based on the rat LD50 value of 3750 mg/kg (ECETOC TR 25 (1988) and EPA RED (1991)), the substance was classified as "Not classified" in the JIS classification (corresponding to Category 5 in the UN-GHS classification). This is the amendment in accordance with the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	The classification was not possible due to lack of data. As relevant information, it was reported that the substance was irritating to the skin (ICSC(J)(2001), HSFS (2004), SITTIG, 4th (2002)). However, these data were not used for classification because concrete case was not reported.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	The classification was not possible due to lack of data. As relevant information, it was reported that the substance was irritating to the eye (ICSC(J)(2001), HSFS (2004), SITTIG, 4th (2002)). However, these data were not used for classification because the concrete case was not reported.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
4	Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
4	Skin sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
5	Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	The classification was not possible due to lack of in vivo test data. As relevant information, as for in vitro mutagenicity studies, negative results in the Ames test and gene mutation test using mammalian cultured cells were reported (IUCLID (2000)).	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
6	Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	The classification was not possible due to no data available. As relevant information, the IARC (IARC Vol.94 (2010)) described that the evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for nitrates in drinking water was uncertain. And also, it was evaluated the carcinogenicity as "Group 2A" under the conditions that nitrates or nitrites could be nitrosated in vivo after oral ingestion. The comprehensive evaluation of the IARC described additionally as follows: There is an active endogenous nitrogen cycle in humans that involves nitrates and nitrites, which are interconvertible in vivo. Nitrosating agents that arise from nitrites under acidic gastric conditions react readily with compounds which are easily nitrosated, especially secondary amines and amides, to generate N-nitroso compounds. These nitrosating conditions are enhanced following ingestion of additional nitrates, nitrites or nitroso compounds. Some of the N-nitroso compounds have the possibility to form known carcinogens in humans under these conditions.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
7	Reproductive toxicity	Category 2	Warning	H361	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	In the oral administration study in guinea pigs via drinking water, although there was no description about the general toxicity to parent animals, increased abortions, and fetal deaths were observed (EHC 5(1978), IUCLID (2000), HSDB (2005)). And in the two-generation reproductive study by feeding administration in rats, malformations were observed (IUCLID (2000), HSDB (2005)). Therefore, the substance was classified as Category 2.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 1 (blood)	Danger	H370	P308+P311 P260 P264 P270 P321 P405 P501	There were no reports on human health for the substance concerned. With regard to information for general water-soluble nitrates, it was reported that 15 soldiers who ingested sodium nitrate by mistake instead of table salts became methemoglobinemia. Of them, 13 ingested about 15g died, while two ingested 5 g survived (ECETOC TR 27 (1988)). Based on the information, the substance was classified as Category 1 (blood). Besides, there were descriptions (ICSC (J) (2001), HSFS (2004) and SITTIG, 4th (2002)) indicating that the substance was irritant to respiratory tract. However, this information was not adopted for classification because the information was obtained from the "List 3" information source designated in the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government with no descriptions based on actual exposure cases, etc.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (blood)	Danger	H372	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	With regard to chronic toxicity of general water-soluble nitrates, there were numerous reports of increased methemoglobin concentrations observed in the infants who ingested meal or water containing nitrates, and case reports of methemoglobinemia observed in the patients administered sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate as a diuretic agent or in the patients treated with ammonium nitrate as an urolithiasis-preventive agent were presented (ECETOC TR27 (1988)). Based on the information, the substance was classified as Category 1 (blood). Besides, the effects on the heart, etc. were reported as ones of nitrates, but these were considered to be secondary effect by methemoglobinemia-induced hypoxia (EHC 5 (1978)).	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2010	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)	Not classified	- -	-	-	Classified as "Not classified" from its 48h-TLm = 490 mg/L for crustacea (Daphnia magna) (SIDS, 2008).	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Long term (Chronic)	Not classified	- -	-	-	Classified as "Not classified" since it is not non-water soluble (water solubility = 357000 mg/L (SIDS, 2008)) and its acute toxicity is low.	FY2010	GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （July, 2010）
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	This substance is not listed in Annexes to the Montreal Protocol.	FY2010	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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