GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name：Mercury
CAS：7439-97-6

Result：
ID: 35
Classifier: Inter-ministerial Committee on GHS
Year Classified: FY2006
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Manual （10 Feb, 2006）

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not applicable - - - - Containing no chemical groups with explosive properties
2 Flammable gases （including chemically unstable gases） Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
6 Flammable liquids Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 2004)
7 Flammable solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Containing no chemical groups with explosive or self-reactive properties
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 2004)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 2004)
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not classified - - - - Stable to water; insoluble (ICSC, 2004)
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Inorganic substance containing no oxygen and halogen
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Not organic compounds
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible, because of a lack of data. The substance corrodes aluminum and a variety of other metals, with which it amalgamates (ICSC, 2004). Corrosivity to metals remains uncertain, though classified as "corrosive substances" (as the classification based on UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods includes "skin corrosivity") (UN#2809).

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity （Oral） Classification not possible - - - - No data available. For details about other inorganic mercury compounds, refer to other mercuric chloride.
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Classification not possible - - - - No data available
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Gases） Not applicable - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is "liquid" according to the GHS definition and inhalation of its gas is not expected.
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Vapours） Classification not possible - - - - No data available
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Dusts and mists） Classification not possible - - - - No data available
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible, because of a lack of data. Typical symptoms in humans include: pruritic eruption (inhalation, oral and dermal routes), skin separation associated with acrodynia (dermal exposure to mercury vapor).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible, because of a lack of data. Typical symptoms in humans include: conjunctivitis caused by eye exposure to mercury vapour.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Category 1 Warning H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction P302+P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P333+P313: If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P272: Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P321: Specific treatment （see ... on this label）.
P363: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on description in EHC 118 (1991) and CICAD 50 (2003) (human health effects), and the classification by the Japanese Society of Occupational Allergy (Skin Sensitization Substances) and the Japan Society for Occupational Health (2005) (Skin Group 1).
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Category 2 Warning H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects P308+P313: IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.
P201: Obtain special instructions before use.
P202: Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P281: Use personal protective equipment as required.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on the results of in vivo somatic cell mutagenicity tests (ATSDR (1999)): Mercuric compounds induce chromosome aberrations in animal somatic cells (though no data are available on the mutagenicity and genotoxicity of mercury).
6 Carcinogenicity Not classified - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Category A4 by ACGIH (2001), Group 3 by IARC (1993) and Group D by EPA (1995)
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 1A Danger H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child P308+P313: IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.
P201: Obtain special instructions before use.
P202: Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P281: Use personal protective equipment as required.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on the description in CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (i) (2002): Data on human occupational exposure indicate an increase in male-induced abortions, paramenia (compared to control subjects), spontaneous abortions, stillbirths and congenital malformations; mercury concentrations in the hair and pubic hair are correlated to adverse effects on reproduction potential and the incidence of paramenia.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (Inhalation administration: respiratory organs, kidney, central nervous system, gingiva, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, liver) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (Inhalation administration: respiratory organs, kidney, central nervous system, gingiva, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, liver) P307+P311: IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P321: Specific treatment （see ... on this label）.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on the results of inhalation administration because the substance is hardly absorbed through oral administration, the toxicity of which manifests exclusively in the inhalation route. As for inhalation administration, based on the human evidence including "pectoralgia, dyspnea, coughing, hemoptysis, pulmonary impairment, diffuse cellular infiltration, pneumonitis," "temporary albuminuria, hematuria, oliguresis, acute renal failure associated with necrosis of proximal convoluted tubules," "persistent excitement loss of vigor, decreased libido," "gingivitis, stomatorrhagia, loss of a tooth," "diarrhea, necrosis of gastric/duodenal mucosae, elevation of blood pressure, an increase in heart rate" (CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (i) (2002)), "enlargement of the liver, vacuolation of centrolobular hepatocytes" (CICAD 50 (2003)), and evidence from animal studies including "degeneration and necrosis of the alveolar epithelium, kidneys, heart, endocolitis and liver" (CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (i) (2002)). The effects were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 1.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (Inhalation administration: central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, kidney, gingiva, cardiovascular system, blood system, liver) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (Inhalation administration: central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, kidney, gingiva, cardiovascular system, blood system, liver) P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P314: Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on the results of inhalation administration because the substance is hardly absorbed through oral administration, the toxicity of which manifests exclusively in the inhalation route. As for inhalation administration, based on the human evidence including "tremor, loss of memory, visual disorder, a decrease in locomotor activity, paresthesia, a decrease in nerve conduction velocity," "nephropathy, degeneration of proximal convoluted tubules and glomeruli," "gingival atrophy, deposition of blue pigments in the gingival crest, loss of a tooth," "an increase in the frequency of palpitation, a reduction in the cardiovascular reflex response, an increase in the incidence of hypertension," "an increase in white blood cell count, a decrease in platelet count, nasal hemorrhage, a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit levels" (CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (i) (2002)), "adverse effects on hepatocytes (no details available)" ((CICAD 50 (2003)), and the evidence from animal studies including "severe brain cell degeneration associated with mild lesion and necrosis, mild to severe hepatocyte degeneration associated with necrosis, severe degeneration and necrosis of renal tissues" (ATSDR (1999)), "loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, severe gliosis in the brain stem (particularly in nuclei pontis)," "mild to moderate lesion in the heart (no details available)" (CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (i) (2002)).
10 Aspiration hazard Classification not possible - - - - No data available

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Acute） Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible due to lack of data
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Category 4 - - H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Since it was metal and the behavior in the water was unknown, it classified into Category 4.


NOTE:
* Classification was conducted by relevant Japanese Ministries in accordance with GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government, and is intended to provide a reference for preparing GHS labelling and SDS for users.
* This is a provisional English translation of classification results and is subject to revision without notice.
* The responsibility for any resulting GHS labelling and SDS referenced from this site is with users.

Reference：
Reference Manual
Definitions / Abbreviations
Model Label by MHLW

 MHLW Website （in Japanese Only）
Model SDS by MHLW

 MHLW Website （in Japanese Only）

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