GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name：m-Xylene
CAS：108-38-3

Result：
ID: 104
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 Category 3 Warning H226: Flammable liquid and vapour P303+P361+P353: IF ON SKIN （or hair）: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
P370+P378: In case of fire: Use ... for extinction.
P403+P235: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
P233: Keep container tightly closed.
P240: Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.
P241: Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/.../equipment.
P242: Use only non-sparking tools.
P243: Take precautionary measures against static discharge.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		The flash point is 27degC (c.c.) (ICSC, 2002) which is classified into Category 3. Classified into Class 3 and Packing Group II-III (UN#1307 (Xylene)) (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods)
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 - - - - Not pyrophoric when in contact with air at ordinary temperatures; the auto-ignition temperature is 527degC (ICSC, 2002)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to liquid substances are not available
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not applicable - - - - Containing no metals or metalloids (B, Si, P, Ge, As, Se, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Po, At)
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing no oxygen, fluorine and chlorine
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "liquid" according to GHS definition
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing no "-O-O-" structure
16 Corrosive to metals Not classified - - - - Classified into Class 3 (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, UN#1307 (Xylene))

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity （Oral） Not classified - - - - Based on the testing data of rat LD50 (oral route) of 5,011mg/kg (EHC 190 (1997)).
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Based on the testing data of rat LD50 (oral route) of 12,180mg/kg (EHC 190 (1997)).
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） Not classified - - - - Because the LC50 value (4 hours) of 8,977ppm, calculated from the testing data of rat LC50 (6-hour inhalation) of 5,984ppm/kg (EHC 190 (1997)), exceeded the saturated vapour concentration (6,600ppm) under a saturated vapour pressure of 0.67kPa (20degC), the substance was considered as "mist exposure" and was classified based on the LC50 (4 hours) value of 39.59mg/kg.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2 Warning H315: Causes skin irritation P302+P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P332+P313: If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P321: Specific treatment （see ... on this label）.
P362: Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. 		Based on the description in the report on rabbit skin irritation tests (CERI Hazard Data 96-30 (ii) (1997), CERI-NITE Hazard Assessment No. 62 (2004)): The substance causes skin irritation. Classified into Category 2 or 3, with the latter adopted according to the classification by EU (Category Xi).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2A Warning H319: Causes serious eye irritation P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P337+P313: If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. 		Based on the description in the report on rabbit eye irritation tests (CERI Hazard Data 96-30 (ii) (1997), CERI-NITE Hazard Assessment No. 62 (2004)): The substance causes moderate skin irritation.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Not classified - - - - Based on the absence of data on multi-generation mutagenicity tests and germ cell mutagenicity tests in vivo and negative data on somatic cell mutagenicity tests in vivo (micronucleus tests), described in CERI-NITE Hazard Assessment No.62 (2004), ATSDR (1997).
6 Carcinogenicity Not classified - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Group I by EPA (2003), Category A4 by ACGIH (2001) and Category 2 by IARC (1999).
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 2 Warning H361: Suspected of damaging 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-NITE Hazard Assessment No. 62 (2004): Fetal death is observed at dosing levels toxic to dams.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 3 （Narcotic effects） Warning H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness (narcotic effects) P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
P403+P233: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
P312: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		In epidemiological study, disturbance of the sense of balance was reported (DFGOT vol.5 (1993)). In animal experimnet, changes in posture, decreased arousal and rearing, increased ease of handling, disturbances of gait, mobility and righting reflex, decreased forelimb grip strength, increased landing foot splay and impaired psychomotor coordination and decreased response to various sensory stimuli were reported (EHC 190 (1997)). These observations suggest that the substance has a narcotic effects. Therefore, the substance was classified as Category 3 (narcotic effects).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (nervous system) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (nervous system) 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 human evidence including "an increase in reaction time, impaired sense of equilibrium" (CERI-NITE Hazard Assessment No.62 (2004)), and the evidence from animal studies including "loss of coordination" (CERI-NITE Hazard Assessment No.62 (2004)). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 2.
10 Aspiration hazard Category 1 Danger H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways P301+P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P331: Do NOT induce vomiting.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on the description in ICSC (J) (2002): "May cause aspiration and chemical pneumonia if swallowed." Based on the fact that m-xylene is a hydrocarbon and has a dynamic viscosity of 0.676mm2/s (25degC) (CERI calculated value).

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Acute） Category 2 - - H401: Toxic to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		It was classified into Category 2 from 48 hours EC50=2.3mg/L of the crustacea (Daphnia magna) (CERI/NITE Hazard Assessment Report, 2005).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Not classified - - - - Since there was rapidly degrading (the decomposition by BOD: 100% (Existing Chemical Safety Inspections Data)) and the bio-accumulation was low (log Kow=3.2 (PHYSPROP Database, 2005)), it was claasified into Not classified.


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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