GHS Classification Result （Revision of the past classification result）

Chemical Name：Vinyl acetate
CAS：108-05-4

Result：
ID: 21B3124
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 ... 		Classified into Category 2 since flash point is -8 degC (closed-cup) (ICSC (1995)) and boiling point is 72 degC. The substance containing stabilizers is classified into Class 3, PG II in UNRTDG (UN1301).
7 Flammable solids Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Type G - - - - The substance contains unsaturated bond in the chemical structure. The substance is classified into Type G since the substance containing stabilizers is classified into Class 3, PG II in UNRTDG (UN1301). Hydroquinone is used as the stabilizer (Hommel (1996)).
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not classified - - - - Auto-ignition point is 402 degC (ICSC (1995)) 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 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） Not classified - - - - Based on LD50 values of 2900 mg/kg (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of Environment) vol. 2 (2003)), 1600 - 3480 mg/kg (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), 2920 - 3730 mg/kg (ECETOC JACC No.18 (1991)) and 3470 mg/kg (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)) for rats, the substance was classified as "Not classified" in JIS Classification (correspond to Category 5 in GHS classification).
1 Acute toxicity （Dermal） Not classified - - - - Based on LD50 values of 2335 - 7470 mg/kg (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), 2340 mg/kg (ECETOC JACC No. 18 (1991)), >5000 mg/kg (ECETOCJACC No. 18 (1991)) and 7440 mg/kg (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)) for rabbits, the substance was classified as "Not classified".
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Gases） Not applicable - - - - Liquid (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity （Inhalation: Vapours） Category 4 Warning H332: Harmful if inhaled P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
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. 		Based on LC50 (4h) values of 11.4 mg/L (3184 ppm) (Initial Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (Ministry of Environment) vol. 2 (2003)), 3200 - 4490 ppm (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), 4000 ppm, 3680 ppm (ECETOC JACC No. 18 (1991)) and 4650 ppm (ATSDR (1992)) for rats, the substance was classified into Category 4. Since all of the LC50 values were lower than 90% of saturated vapour pressure concentration (149,211 ppm), the classification criteria for gas (ppm) was adopted.
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. 		In human volunteers, irritation was not noted in a patch test (ATSDR (1992)). 21 workers at the production plant of this substance were tested, and skin irritation and rashes were reported in 3 of this group (ECETOC JACC No. 18 (1991)). Seven skin irritation tests have been conducted using rabbits. Among them, 2 tests reported results of "no irritation" (ECETOC JACC No. 18 (1991), ATSDR (1992)) and 3 tests reported "mildly irritating" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), "slight edema" (ATSDR (1992)) and "slight erythema" (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)), respectively. "Occurrence of edema (Draize score: 4), subcutaneous hemorrhage and xanthoderma" are reported in one test (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)). Based on the reports, the substance was classified into Category 2. As relevant information, continuous contact with the skin resulted in severe irritation or blister formation (ECETOC JACC No. 18 (1991)), and long-term exposure was corrosive to the skin (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)).
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 humans, direct contact with the substance caused a corneal burn which was reversible within 48-hour. In a rabbit eye irritation tests, "severe irritating" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)) and "corneal clouding, reddening and severe oedema of the conjunctiva (resolved within 8 days)" (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)) were reported. Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 2.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available.
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - In a guinea pig skin sensitizing test (Buehlar test), there is a report that positive response was observed in 6/20 animals (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). On the other hand, there is a report that "the results cannot be evaluated, as the possibility of false positive reactions cannot be excluded" (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)). Therefore, classification was not possible. In a research of medical records of 21 workers for 5 years, this substance was not suggested to be a prominent inducer of allergic contact dermatitis (ECETOC JACC No. 18 (1991)). In workers who had frequent and intensive skin contact with vinyl acetate, no allergic skin reactions were detected (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)).
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 results from in vivo tests including a rat bone marrow micronucleus test (NTP DB (access on 6. 2009)), a mouse bone marrow micronucleus test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), a rat bone marrow chromosomal aberration test (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)) and a mouse bone marrow sister chromatid exchange test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), the substance was classified into Category 2. As relevant information, from in vitro mutagenicity tests, there are reports of a negative bacterial reverse mutation test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), NTP DB (access on 6. 2009)), positive results for a human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), a mouse lymphoma cell gene mutation test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)), a human lymphocyte and CHO cell sister chromatid exchange test (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 60 (2005)) and a hamster cell transformation test (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 60 (2005)).
6 Carcinogenicity Category 2 Warning H351: Suspected of causing cancer 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 classifications of "2B" in IARC (IARC (1995)), "A3" in ACGIH (ACGIH-TLV (2009)) and "2B" in Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH) (Recommendations for allowable concentrations (2008)), the substance was classified into Category 2. One hundred and four-week (104-week) oral tests in rats and mice were conducted. In rats, increased incidences of squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell papilloma in the oral cavity were observed in the males, and an increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity and esophagus was observed in the females. In mice, increased incidences of squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell papilloma in the oral cavity and forestomach, squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus and larynx were observed in both sexes, and an increased incidence of squamous cell papilloma in the esophagus was observed in the females (Results from Carcinogenicity tests (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (1995), Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 60 (2005)). In 2-year inhalation tests in rats and mice, increased incidences of papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal cavity were observed in male rats, an increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal cavity and larynx was observed in female rats, and an increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in the lung was observed in male mice (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 60 (2005)). The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has made a public announcement on guidelines in order to prevent the impairment of worker's health based on Industrial Safety and Health Act Article 28-3 (2006).
7 Reproductive toxicity Not classified - - - - In an oral two-generation reproductive test in rats, a lower body weight of the offspring and a slightly lower pregnancy rate (lack reproducibility) were observed (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006), ATSDR (2009)). In an oral reproductive toxicity test in mice, decreased relative weight of the testes (no histopathological change, no dose-dependency) was observed (ATSDR (2009)). In an inhalation developmental toxicity test in rats, lower fetal weight and fetal crown/rump length, and retarded ossification were observed in fetuses at dose levels in which dams exhibited a reduction in body weight gain and lung congestion. However, there is a report that this effect may were secondary to the maternal toxicity observed (ATSDR (2009)). In the other reproductive tests or developmental toxicity tests, there were no effects except for a reduction in body weight gain in maternal animals and offspring (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)) (ATSDR (2009)). Based on the data, the substance was classified as "Not classified".
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 3 （Respiratory tract irritation, Narcotic effects） Warning H335: May cause respiratory irritation (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects) 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.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		In an inhalation exposure test in human volunteers, "irritation to the respiratory tract" (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)) and "irritation to the nose and throat" (ATSDR (1992)) are reported. As for animals, "inanimation" was observed in a rat oral dose test (DFGOT vol. 21 (2005)), and "CNS depression" was observed in a rabbit inhalation exposure test (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO) No. 60 (2005)). "Irritation to the mucosa and skin, narcotic effects following high level exposure" are also reported in humans (Public announcement on guidelines in order to prevent the impairment of worker's health based on Industrial Safety and Health Act Article 28-3 (2005)). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 2 (respiratory system) Warning H373: May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (respiratory system) 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 ... 		In a 2-year inhalation exposure test in rats, "squamous metaplasia and atrophy of olfactory epithelium and hyperplasia of basal cell in the nasal cavity" were observed. In a 13-week inhalation exposure test in mice, "focal pneumonia and rhinitis" were observed (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). In a 2-year inhalation exposure test in mice, "atrophy of olfactory epithelium and mucus gland in the nasal cavity" were observed (Hazard Assessment Report (CERI, NITE) (2006)). Based on the findings, respiratory tract (mainly upper respiratory tract) was considered to be a target organ. All of the effects in animals were noted at the dose level of 200 ppm (within the guidance value range for Category 2). Based on the data, the substance was classified into Category 2 (respiratory tract).
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 2 - - H401: Toxic to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ... 		Classified into Category 2 from its 96h-LC50 = 2.39 mg/L for fish (Oryzias latipes) (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO), 2005).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment （Long-term） Not classified - - - - Classified into Not classified since it is rapidly degradable (BOD degradation rate: 90% (Biodegradation and Bioconcentration of Existing Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law, 1988)) and low bioaccumulative potential is estimated (log Kow = 0.73 (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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