GHS Classification Result (Revision of the past classification result)

Chemical Name:Methanol
CAS:67-56-1

Result:
ID: 21B3012
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 - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Liquid (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 ...
Flash point 12 degC (closed-cup) (ICSC (J) (2000)) is <23 degC and initial boiling point 65 degC (ICSC (J) (2000)) is >35 degC. The substance classified into Class 3, PG II in UNRTDG (UN1230).
7 Flammable solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
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 classified - - - - Auto-ignition point is 464 degC (ICSC (J) (2000)) exceeding 70 degC.
10 Pyrophoric solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (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 - - - - 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 - - - - The substance is an organic compound containing oxygen (but not fluorine or chlorine) which is chemically bonded only to carbon or hydrogen.
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Organic compounds containing no bivalent -O-O- structure
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - No data available.

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 ...
LD50 values of 6200 mg/kg (EHC 196 (1997)) and 9100 mg/kg (EHC 196 (1997)) for rats correspond to "Not classified". However, the toxic effects of methanol in primates is more pronounced than in rodents (EHC 196 (1997)) and a dose of 1400 mg/kg was lethal in approximately half of the cases (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 4.
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Not classified - - - - Based on a LD50 value of 15800 mg/kg for rabbits (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)), the substance was classified as "Not classified".
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Not classified - - - - Based on a LC50 value of >22,500 ppm (4-hour equivalence: 31,500 ppm) for rats (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". Since saturated vapour pressure concentration was 116,713 ppmV, the classification criteria for gas was adopted.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible - - - - Although there is an unpublished report that when applied to the skin of rabbits under occlusive conditions for up to 20-hour the substance was not irritating (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)), classification was not possible due to lack of data in a skin irritation test. As relevant information, although there is a report that application to rabbit skin for 24-hour under occlusive conditions caused moderate skin irritation, this irritation was probably a result of the defatting action of methanol (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2 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.
In a rabbit Draize test, mean scores of conjunctivitis were judged to be 2 and higher (2.1) at 24, 48 and 72-hour after installation. Chemosis (score of 2.00) observed up to 4-hour had decreased significantly by 72-hour (score of 0.50) (EHC 196 (1997)). Since it is not clear whether the effects reversed within 7 days, sub-categorization was not performed. Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 2.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
4 Skin sensitization Not classified - - - - Based on a result of "not sensitizing" in a guinea pig skin sensitizing test (Magnusson-Kligman maximization test) (EHC 196 (1997)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". There are only a few reports of positive results obtained in human patch tests. It seems probable that they were the result of cross-reactions with various alcohols. In some of the cases, skin reactions also developed after the consumption of alcoholic drinks, also erythema. It cannot be concluded from these results that methanol has a significant sensitizing potential (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)).
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Not classified - - - - Based on negative results in mouse erythrocyte micronucleus tests (in vivo somatic cell mutagenicity tests) by inhalation exposure (EHC 196 (1997)) and by intraperitoneal administration (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001), PATTY (5th, 2001)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". As relevant information, from in vitro mutagenicity tests, there are reports of negative Ames tests (EHC 196 (1997), DFGOT vol. 16 (2001), PATTY (5th, 2001)), mouse lymphoma tests (EHC 196 (1997), DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)) and CHO cell chromosomal aberration tests (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)). There is a report of a positive mouse lymphoma test only with metabolic activation (S9+) (EHC 196 (1997), DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - In unpublished tests conducted by The New Energy Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan, no evidence of carcinogenicity was found in rats, mice or monkeys (EHC 196 (1997)). There is a report that there was a significant dose-response relationship for male and female rats for carcinomas of the head and neck and for females only hemolymphoreticular neoplasms when the substance was administered to rats in drinking water from 8-weeks until spontaneous death occurred (ACGIH (2009)). Determining tumors after spontaneous death is not comparable to the standard procedure, therefore, the evaluation or comparison is considered to be difficult. Based on the above information, classification was not possible.
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 ...
In a developmental toxicity test by inhalation exposure to mice during organogenesis period, fetal resorptions and exencephaly were observed (PATTY (5th, 2001)). Additionally, similar effects including cleft palate were reported in other inhalation and oral exposure tests (EHC 196 (1997), DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)). For effects of methanol on reproduction, scientific decisions concerning health risks are generally based on what is known as "weight-of-evidence" approach. Recognizing the lack of human data and the clear evidence of laboratory animal effects, it was concluded that methanol may adversely affect human development if exposures are sufficiently high (NTP-CERHR Monograph (2003)). Based on the information, the substance was considered to be a presumed human reproductive toxicant and was classified into Category 1B.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, visual organs, systemic toxicity), Category 3 (narcotic effects) Danger
Warning
H370: Causes damage to organs (central nervous system, visual organs, systemic toxicity)
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.
The symptoms of acute poisoning from the substance include CNS-depression. Formate accumulates in the blood during a latency period which leads to metabolic acidosis, visual impairment or even total blindness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, Kussmaul breathing and coma. In some cases death is the final outcome (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001), EHC 196 (1997)). Further, CNS disorders, especially parkinsonism-like extrapyramidal symptoms were reported (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)). Morphological changes, necrosis in the white substance of the brain were demonstrated (DFGOT vol. 16 (2001)). Based on the human information, the substance was classified into Category 1 (central nervous system). Additionally, the eye was regarded as a target organ since visual impairment is a characteristic effect. Additionally, systemic toxicity is regarded as a target organ based on the reports of headache, nausea, vomiting, tachypnea and coma as signs of metabolic acidosis. The effects of single exposures by inhalation include narcosis (EHC 196 (1997), PATTY (5th, 2001)). As an acute toxicity in humans, a narcotic effect results from central nervous system depression (PATTY (5th, 2001)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 3 (narcotic effects).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (central nervous system, visual organs) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (central nervous system, visual organs) 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 a report that the most noted health consequence of longer-term exposure to lower levels of methanol is a broad range of ocular effects (EHC 196 (1997)), and that cases of chronic poisoning from occupational exposure to methanol were manifested by bilateral blindness (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), the substance was classified into Category 1 (eye). Additionally, based on the report that cases of chronic poisoning from repeated exposure to methanol vapour are manifested by headache, giddiness, insomnia, and gastric disturbances (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), the substance was classified into Category 1 (central nervous system). There are reports that changes in liver weight and hepatocellular hypertrophy were observed in rat oral administration tests (PATTY (5th, 2001), IRIS (2005)), however, these findings are considered to be adaptive changes and were not used as the basis of classification.
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 = 15400 mg/L for fish (Bluegill) (EHC 196, 1998) and 96h-LC50 = 1340 mg/L for Crustacea (Brown shrimp) (EHC 196, 1998).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Not classified - - - - Classified into Not classified since its acute toxicity is Not classified and it is not non-water soluble (Water solubility = 1000000 mg/L (PHYSPROP Database, 2009)).
12 Hazardous to the ozone layer Classification not possible - - - - This substance is not listed in Annexes to the Montreal Protocol.


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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