GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name：Borax
CAS：1303-96-4

Result：
ID: 198
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 "solid" according to GHS definition
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
7 Flammable solids Not classified - - - - Non-flammable (ICSC, 1999)
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Containing no chemical groups with explosive or self-reactive properties
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 1999)
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 1999)
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not classified - - - - Stable to water (water solubility: 5.1g/100mL (20degC), ICSC (1999))
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
14 Oxidizing solids Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible due to lack of data, though inorganic compounds containing oxygen
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Not organic compounds
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity （Oral） Category 5 - Warning H303: May be harmful if swallowed P312: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. Based on the LD50 value of 4,450mg/kg calculated from the testing data of rat LD50 (oral route) of 3,493mg/kg, 4,500mg/kg, 4,980mg/kg, 5,660mg/kg, 6,080mg/kg (EHC 204 (1998)) and 6,000mg/kg (ECETOC TR63 (1995)).
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Based on the rabbit LD50 (dermal route) value of >10,000mg/kg (HSDB (2005)).
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Gases） Not applicable - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is "solid" 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 - - - - Insufficient 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 animal skin irritation tests (PATTY (4th, 2000) and ECETOC TR63 (1995)): "mild to moderate skin irritation" (though the results are not those of 4-hour application). Also based on the description of the human health effects (ACGIH (7th, 2001)): "dermatitis was observed following exposure to borax." Although classified as Category 2-3, the substance should be placed in Category 2 from the viewpoint of safety.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2A-2B 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 eye irritation tests in rabbits and rats (ECETOC TR63 (1995) and ATSDR (1992)): "The substance induced clouding of the conjunctiva with hyperplasia and blister formation. Corneal irritation was noted, with the effects healing within days 8-21," "eye inflammation." Also based on the human evidence of eye irritation of unknown degree (ECETOC TR63 (1995)). Although classified into Category 2A-2B, the substance should be placed in Category 2A from the viewpoint of safety if further subclassification is needed.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Classification not possible - - - - Based on the absence of data on multi-generation mutagenicity tests, germ/somatic cell mutagenicity tests in vivo and germ/somatic cell genotoxicity tests in vivo, and no positive data on mutagenicity tests in vitro (several indices), described in EHC 204 (1998).
6 Carcinogenicity Not classified - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Category A4 (borates compounds, inorganic [1330-43-4; 1303-96-4; 10043-35-3; 12179-04-3]) by ACGIH (2005).
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 evidence of adverse effects on sperm production, described in ATSDR (1992) (no data presented on general toxicity).
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (kidney, nervous system, respiratory system) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (kidney, nervous system, respiratory system) 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 human evidence including "kidney damage, suppression of the central nervous system and vascular collapse" (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), "respiratory/pulmonary diseases, abnormalities detected by chest X ray, respiratory irritation" (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). * As "inorganic borate exists as boric acid in a diluted aqueous solution of physiological pH," (PATTY (4th, 2000)), refer to "Sodium Tetraborate (ID: 0197)" and "Boric Acid (ID: 0491)."
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (nervous system, kidney, respiratory system), Category 2 (testis) Danger
Warning 		H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (nervous system, kidney, respiratory system)
H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (testis) 		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 "general and topical crossed motor seizure, irritability, clouding/swelling/granular degeneration of renal tubules" (EHC 204 (1998)), "respiratory/pulmonary diseases, abnormalities detected by chest X ray and chronic bronchitis" (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), and the evidence from animal studies including "atrophy of the testes" (ATSDR (1992)). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 2. * As "inorganic borate exists as boric acid in a diluted aqueous solution of physiological pH," (PATTY (4th, 2000)), refer to "Sodium Tetraborate (ID: 0197)" and "Boric Acid (ID: 0491)."
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） Not classified - - - - It was classified into Not classified from 96 hours LC50=14.2mg boron/L(Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate Equivalent: 501.0mg/L) of the fish (Zebrafish) (EHC204, 1998).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Not classified - - - - Since it was not water-insolubility (the water-solubility =5930mg/L (HSDB, 2004)), and acute toxicity was low, it was classified 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 SDS by MHLW

 MHLW Website （in Japanese Only）

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