GHS Classification Result (Revision of the past classification result)

Chemical Name:Ammonium nitrate
CAS:6484-52-2

Result:
ID: 21B3065
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 classified - - - - Classified into Not classified as for "Explosives" since the pure substance is classified into Division 5.1 in UNRTDG (UN1942) though the substance contains chemical groups (N-O) associated with explosive properties present in the molecules. The substance containing more than 0.2% (as carbon) of combustibles is also classified into Division 1.1 in GHS classification as for "Explosives" since it is classified into Division 1.1 in UNRTDG (UN0222).
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 Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - The substance is classified into Division 5.1 (Oxidizing substances), PG III (solids) in UNRTDG (UN1942).
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Solid (GHS definition)
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified - - - - Not combustible (ICSC (J) (2001))
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 Category 3 Warning H272: May intensity fire; oxidizer P370+P378: In case of fire: Use ... for extinction.
P210: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.
P220: Keep/Store away from clothing/.../combustible materials.
P221: Take any precaution to avoid mixing with combustibles/...
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
The substance is classified into Division 5.1, PG III in UNRTDG (UN1942).
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 - - - - LD50 values are 2217 mg/kg, 2800 mg/kg, 2462 mg/kg, 2950 mg/kg, 5600 mg/kg, 4820 mg/kg (IUCLID (2000)) and 4500 mg/kg (HSDB (2007)) for rats. Since all 7 values exceed 2000 mg/kg, the substance was classified as "Not classified" in JIS Classification (correspond to Category 5 or "Not classified" in GHS classification).
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
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 (4h) value of >88.8 mg/L for rats (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". Since the substance was an inorganic solid, the test was considered to be conducted for dusts.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Not classified - - - - Based on a report of "no irritating" in a rabbit test (OECD TG404) (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified". In another rabbit test, the mean erythema and oedema scores were calculated to be 0.1 and 0, respectively, following a simple 4-hour application. No erythema was observed in any animals at 48 and 72-hour following application (IUCLID (2000)). No irritating is also suggested by these data.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2B - Warning H320: Causes 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.
In a rabbit eye irritation test, effects were most prominent at 24-hour after application. Corneal opacity and iritis resolved by 24-hour after application, and chemosis and erythema resolved by day 4 and day 7, respectively, after application. MMAS (Modified Maximum Average Score) was 18.3 ((23+19+12)/3) in this test (ECETOC TR48 (1998)). The substance was classified into Category 2B.
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 - - - - Although there is a report of a negative in vitro test (Ames test) (IUCLID (2000)), classification was not possible due to lack of data from in vivo mutagenicity tests.
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - No data available. In a cohort test that was conducted to investigate the mortality patterns among a group of workers engaged in the production of ammonium nitrate/fertilizer, there was no significant excess for any cause of mortality, including all types of cancer (HSDB (2007)).
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible - - - - Although there is a report that no teratogenicity were observed in a rat test by oral administration during gestation period (IUCLID (2000)), classification was not possible due to lack of data for sexual function and fertility.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 2 (blood), Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation) Warning H371: May cause damage to organs (blood)
H335: May cause respiratory irritation (respiratory tract irritation)
P309+P311: IF exposed or if you feel unwell: 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.
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 diagnosis of methemoglobinemia was suspected for a 23-year-old girl who arrived in the emergency department in a state of confusion with intense cyanosis following exposure to the substance (HSDB (2007)). Confused or suicidal patients who ingested ammonium nitrate had methemoglobinemia (HSDB (2007)). Severe overexposure to the substance may interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen causing methemoglobinemia (HSFS (2007)). Based on this information, the substance was classified into Category 2 (blood system). Inhalation of the substance is irritating to mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, causes severe lung congestion, coughing, and difficult breathing (HSDB (2007)). Breathing the substance can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing and wheezing (HSFS (2007)). Based on these reports, the substance was classified into Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Classification not possible - - - - The state of health of ammonia production workers was examined. It was estimated that the illness of respiratory apparatus and musculoskeletal system predominate. Clinical examinations indicate frequent cases of bronchitis and radiculoneuropathy. The results of function tests show damage of airways and myocardiodystrophy (HSDB (2007)). However, since the number of subjects as well as the number of incidences of symptoms/diseases is not clear, and the data was derived from workers under various risk factors, the data was not used as the basis of classification. In a 4-week inhalation test in rats and guinea pigs, no effect was noted due to the low dose level tested (ECH No. 188 (1997)).
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 = 5657 mg/L for fish (Rainbow trout) (IUCLID, 2000) and 48h-EC50 = 111 - 840 mg/L for Crustacea (Daphnia magna) (IUCLID, 2000).
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 = 2000 g/L (SIDS, 2007)).
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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