GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name：Sulfur
CAS：7704-34-9

Result：
ID: 21A3550
Classifier: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare （MHLW）, Ministry of the Environment （MOE）
Year Classified: FY2009
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government （March, 2009）

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not applicable - - - - There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecules.
2 Flammable gases （including chemically unstable gases） Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products.
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
7 Flammable solids Category 2 Warning H228: Flammable solids P370+P378: In case of fire: Use ... for extinction.
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
P240: Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.
P241: Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/.../equipment.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. 		Classified into Category 2 since the substance is classified into Division 4.1, PG III in UNRTDG (UN1350).
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - There are no chemical groups present in the molecule associated with explosive or self-reactive properties.
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Auto-ignition point is 232 degC (NFPA (13th, 2006)) exceeding 70 degC.
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to solid (melting point <= 140 degC) substances are not available.
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not applicable - - - - The chemical structure of the substance does not contain metals or metalloids (B, Si, P, Ge, As, Se, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Po, At).
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - The substance does not contain oxygen, fluorine or chlorine.
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Inorganic compound
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） Not classified - - - - Based on LD50 values of >5000 mg/kg, >5000 mg/kg, and >3000 mg/kg for rats (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified into "Not classified".
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Based on a LD50 value of >2000 mg/kg for rats (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified" in JIS Classification (correspond to Category 5 or "Not classified" in GHS classification).
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Gases） Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Vapours） Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Dusts and mists） Not classified - - - - Based on a LC50 value of >9.23 mg/L for rats (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". Since the value (9.23 mg/L) was higher than the saturated vapour pressure concentration (0.0007 mg/L (30.4 degC)), the test was considered to be conducted for dust.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Not classified - - - - Based on a result of not irritating in a rabbit irritation test (OECD TG404 (GLP)) where irritation score was "0" in all rabbits after application of 80% wettable powder to the skin (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". In another rabbit test with 75% wettable powder, a result of "mildly irritating" or "hardly irritating" was obtained (Pesticide safety information (Japan Crop Protection Association) (List open for the public) (1994)). In EU classification, the substance is classified into Xi: R38 (EU-Annex I (2009)).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Not classified - - - - Based on a result of not irritating in a rabbit irritation test (OECD TG405 (GLP)) where irritation score was "0" in all rabbits after application of 80% wettable powder to the eye (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". In another rabbit test with 75% wettable powder, the result of "mildly irritating" or "hardly irritating" was obtained (Pesticide safety information (Japan Crop Protection Association) (List open for the public) (1994)).
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - Classification not possible due to lack of data. Although there is a result of "not sensitizing" in human patch test (IUCLID (2000)) and information of not sensitizer in a guinea pig test (EPA RED (access on Aug. 2009)), the details are not clear.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Classification not possible - - - - Although induction of chromosome aberrations in germ cell of guinea pigs and induction of chromosome damage in rat embryos were observed (IUCLID (2000)), these tests are invalid since the experimental procedures are not commonly used and the detailed data are not clear. Additionally, there is a negative result in a rat bone marrow chromosome aberration test (IUCLID (2000)), but the detailed data are unclear. Therefore, classification was not possible due to lack of appropriate data from in vivo mutagenicity tests. As relevant information, from in vitro mutagenicity tests, there is a report of a negative Ames test (IUCLID (2000)).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (respiratory tract) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (respiratory tract) 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 ... 		It is reported that exposure to sulfur particulates produces tracheobronchitis, characterized by cough, sore throat, and chest pain in humans (PATTY (5th, 2001)). Additionally, it is reported that acute effects of sulfur inhalation include catarrhal inflammation of nasal mucosa, which may lead to hyperplasia and tracheobronchitis is a frequent occurrence with dyspnea, persistent cough and expectoration which is sometimes streaked with blood (HSDB (2003)). Based on these information, the substance was classified into Category 1 (respiratory tract). As relevant information, dyspnea was observed by oral administration to rats at 1000 mg/kg and more (IUCLID (2000)).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 2 (respiratory system, skin) Warning H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (respiratory system, skin) P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P314: Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		It is reported that workers exposed to atmospheric sulphur for 2.0 - 2.5 years exhibited frequent nosebleeds, bronchitis and impaired lung function (IUCLID (2000)). Additionally, it is reported that mine workers exposed to sulfur dust and sulfur dioxide often had chronic sinus effects and respiratory disturbances. Based on this information found in a document in List 2, the substance was classified into Category 2 (respiratory system). There are reports that development of comedones was reported in some workers exposed to sulfur dust (IUCLID (2000)) and skin may be subject to erythematous and eczematous lesions and signs of ulceration in workers whose hands are in prolonged or repeated contact with powdered sulfur (HSDB (2003)). There is a report of an animal test where dermal application of 10% test substance to rabbits for 2 weeks resulted in hyperkeratosis and formation of comedones (IUCLID (2000)). Based on this information found in a document in List 2, the substance was classified into Category 2 (skin).
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 - - - - Classified into Not classified from its 96h-LC50 = 736 mg/L for Crustacea (Mysid) (AQUIRE, 2010)
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Classification not possible - - - - Classified into Classification not possible since data on rapid degradation and quantitative data on water solubility are not obtained though its acute toxicity is 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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