GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name:Mercury dichloride
CAS:7487-94-7

Result:
ID: 285
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, 2004)
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, 2004)
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 (water solubility: 7.4g/100mL (20degC), ICSC (2004))
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
14 Oxidizing solids Not classified - - - - No data available, though being inorganic compounds containing chlorine. Classified into Division 6.1 (UN#1624) (UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods)
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 2 Danger H300: Fatal if swallowed P301+P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P321: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P330: Rinse mouth.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the testing data of 25.9mg/kg, representing the lowest value of rat LD50 (oral route) of 25.9-77.7mg/kg (ATSDR(1999)).
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Category 1 Danger H310: Fatal in contact with skin P302+P350: IF ON SKIN: Gently wash with plenty of soap and water.
P262: Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P310: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P322: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P361: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
P363: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the rabbit LD50 (dermal route) value of 41mg/kg (ATSDR (1999)).
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 - - - - 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 skin irritation tests (CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (ii) (2002)): "Severe skin irritation" (though the results are not those of 4-hour application). Also based on the human evidence of "skin irritation" (ATSDR (1999)). The substance is thus considered a severe skin irritant.
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 2001-58 (ii) (2002)): "Severe eye irritation" (though the mode of administration (24-hour exposure) is not comparable to that of the ordinary eye irritation tests). Also based on the human evidence of "eye irritation" (ATSDR (1999)). The substance is thus considered a severe eye irritant.
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 the "positive" results in animal sensitization tests reported in CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (ii) (2002), and the description of human health effects in DFGOT vol.15 (2001); the substance causes "skin sensitization." Furthermore, mercury is classified into "Skin Sensitizing Substance" by the ad hoc committee of the Japanese Society of Occupational Allergy, and "Skin Sensitizing Substance: Group 1"* by the Japan Society for Occupational Health (though these classifications do not specify mercury chloride (II) per se). * There is a provision to the effect that "the category refers to the substance concerned and its compounds, but does not identify all substances causing respiratory/skin sensitization.
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 positive data on somatic cell mutagenicity tests in vivo and the absence of data on germ cell genotoxicity in vivo. Positive results (as mercury compounds) are also available in multi-generation mutagenicity tests and germ cell mutagenicity tests in vivo, but not used for effects assessment.
6 Carcinogenicity Not classified - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is classified as Category C by EPA (1995), Category A4 (as metal mercury and inorganic mercury compounds) by ACGIH (2001), Group 3 (as metal mercury and inorganic mercury compounds) by IARC (1993).
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 1B 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 evidence of adverse effects on the reproductive function (decreased copulation rates) and sperm production at dosing levels producing no parental toxicity, described in ATSDR (1999), EHC 118 (1991), IARC 58 (1993) and CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (2002).
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (respiratory system, kidney, cardiovascular system, liver, skeletal muscle) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (respiratory system, kidney, cardiovascular system, liver, skeletal muscle) 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 "severe pulmonary edema, increased enzymes of the liver, enlargement/malacia of the liver," "rale, enlargement of the liver, acute renal failure," "loss of P wave, prolongation of the QRS interval and elevation of T wave in ECG," "degeneration of the skeletal muscles" (CICAD 50 (2003)), "albuminuria, anuria and uremia", and the evidence from animal studies including "degeneration of the epithelial cells of renal tubules, proximal renal tubular necrosis" (CERI Hazard Data 2001-58 (ii) (2002)). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 1.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, kidney, thyroid, testis, cardiovascular system) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (central nervous system, kidney, thyroid, testis, cardiovascular 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 ...
The central nervous system, kidney, thyroid gland, testes and cardiovascular system were considered to be the target organs based on reported adverse effects, including "irritability, fretfulness, sleeplessness, tachycardia and elevated blood pressure" (CICAD 50 (2003)) observed in human studies, and "nephropathy (i.e., dilated tubules with hyaline casts, foci of tubular regeneration, and thickened tubular basement membrane), tubular necrosis"(CICAD 50 (2003)) and "increased thyroid weight, thyroidal iodine uptake and protein-bound iodine in the serum, decreased triiodothyronine and monoiodotyrosine, reduced testis weight and testicular epididymal sperm number, coagulative necrosis in cerebellar granule cells, degeneration and vacuolation in the neurons of dorsal root ganglia, severe ataxia and sensory loss, an increase in blood pressure, and a decrease in cardiac contractility"(CERI hazard data collection 2001-58 (2) (2002)) observed in experimental animal studies. In experimental animals, the effects on central nervous system, kidney, thyroid gland and testes were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 1 and on the cardiovascular system for Category 2. Therefore the substance has been classified as Category 1 (central nervous system, kidney, thyroid gland, testes, cardiovascular system).
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) Category 1 Warning H400: Very toxic to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
It was classified into Category 1 from 48 hours LC50=1.8-4.3microg/L(Mercury II Chloride Equivalent: 2.4-5.8microg/L) of the crustacea (Daphnia magna) (EHC86, 1989).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Category 1 Warning H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Since acute toxicity was Category 1, there was bio-accumulation (BCF=4620 (Existing Chemical Safety Inspections Data)) and it was a metallic compound and the underwater action was unknown, 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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