GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name：Benzene
CAS：71-43-2

Result：
ID: 194
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 2 Danger H225: Highly 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 -11degC (c.c.) (ICSC, 2004) and the boiling point is 80degC, which is classified into Category 2. Classified into Class 3 and Packing Group II (UN#1114) (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 498degC (ICSC, 2004)
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#1114 )

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity （Oral） Category 4 Warning H302: Harmful if swallowed P301+P312: IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P330: Rinse mouth.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Based on the LD50 value of 1,620mg/kg calculated from the testing data of rat LD50 (oral route) of 810mg/kg (NICNAS (2001), IRIS (2002)), 3,000mg/kg, 3300mg/kg, and 4,900mg/kg, (EHC 150 (1993).
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Based on the rabbit LD50 (dermal route) of over 8,200mg/kg (NICNAS (2001)).
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） Not classified - - - - Based on the rat LC50 value of 14,000mg/L (based on a conversion factor (25degC) of 1mg/m3=0.313ppm), calculated from the testing data of rat LC50 (4-hour inhalation) of 44.66mg/L (EHC 150 (1993)), was lower than 90% of the saturated vapour concentration (124,000ppm (25degC)) under a saturated vapour pressure of 12.6kPa (25degC), the substance was considered as "vapour containing substantially no mist" and was classified based on standard values expressed in ppm.
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Dusts and mists） Classification not possible - - - - No data available
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 primary skin irritation tests (NICNAS (2001) and rabbit cumulative skin irritation tests (EHC 150 (1993)) as well as on EU Risk Phrase Xi; R36/38: Benzene is considered "irritating" to the skin.
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 evidence of moderate eye irritation in rabbit eye irritation tests (EHC 150 (1993)), (NICNAS (2001)).
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - Based on the description in PATTY (4th, 1994): Benzene causes skin sensitization in guinea pigs, though the details of the test methods are unknown; the reliability of the test results has yet to be established (i.e., data are insufficient).
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 negative data on multi-generation mutagenicity tests, the absence of data on germ cell mutagenicity tests in vivo, positive data on somatic cell mutagenicity tests in vivo, and the absence of data on germ cell genotoxicity tests in vivo, described in EHC 150 (1993), NTP-TR289 (1986).
6 Carcinogenicity Category 1A Danger H350: May cause cancer 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 ... 		Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Category K by NTP (2005), Group 1 by IARC (1987), Category A1 by ACGIH (2001), and Category A by EPA (2000).
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 evidence of toxicity to foetuses at dosing levels toxic to dams, described in NTP (1986), ATSDR (2005).
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (respiratory system), Category 3 (narcotic effects) Danger
Warning 		H370: Causes damage to organs (respiratory system)
H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness (narcotic effects) 		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 ...
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. 		Based on the human evidence including "irritation to the skin, nose, mouth and larynx; tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, massive pulmonary hemorrhage" ((NICNAS (2001)), and the evidence from animal studies including "respiratory depression during anesthetization" (EHC 150 (1993)).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, hematopoietic system) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (central nervous system, hematopoietic 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 "bone marrow hypoplasia/hyperplasia, hypocytosis associated with normoblast," "blood toxicity," "fatal cases due to aplastic anemia" (EHC 150 (1993)), "transverse myelitis" (IRIS (2002)), "frequent headache, exhaustion, somnipathy, dysmnesia," "a decrease in white/red blood cell counts, an increase in mean cell volume" (NICNAS (2001)), and the evidence from animal studies including "a decrease in lymphocyte/red blood cell counts," "abnormal configuration of circulating erythrocytes and leukocytes," "a decrease in splenic nucleated cells, circulating erythrocytes and lymphocytes; a decrease in white blood cell count," "a decrease in bone marrow cellularity and bone marrow pluripotent cells" (EHC 150 (1993)), "a decrease in red blood cell, white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, a decrease in hematocrit value, an increase in mean cell volume" (IRIS (2002)). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 1.
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) (2003): "May cause aspiration and chemical pneumonia if swallowed." Based on the fact that benzene is a hydrocarbon and has a dynamic viscosity of 0.740mm2/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 96 hours LC50=5.3mg/L of the fish (Rainbow Trout) (EU-RAR, 2003).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Category 2 - H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Although acute toxicity was Category 2 and the bio-accumulation potential was low (log Kow=2.13(PHYSPROP Database, 2005)), since there was no rapidly degrading (the decomposition by BOD: 40%(Existing Chemical Safety Inspections Data)), it was classified into Category 2.


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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