GHS Classification Result (Revision of the past classification result)

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

Result:
ID: 22B4523
Classifier: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
Year Classified: FY2010
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Guidance by the Japanese Government (July, 2010)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not classified - - - - The substance does not fall under Explosives since it is classified into Division 5.1 in UNRTDG (UN1942) though it contains chemical groups (-NO3) associated with explosive properties. As relevant notes, the substance with concentration of flammable impurities exceeding 0.2% is classified into Explosives (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 as oxidizing solids. In addition, those contains flammable impurities 0.2% or more is classified as Explosives (Division 1.1) in UNRTDG (UN0222).
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 ...
This substance is classified into Division 5.1, PG III (UN1942) , "Oxidizing solids "(or UN0222, "Explosives") in UNRTDG.
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - This substance is not an organic 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 the rat LD50 values of 2450 and 4820 mg/kg (ECETOC TR 27 (1989)), the substance was classified as "Not classified" in the JIS classification (corresponding to Category 5 in the UN-GHS classification). This is the amendment in accordance with JIS criteria described in the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.
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 the rat LC50 value (4-hour) of > 88.8 mg/L (IUCLID (2000)), the substance was classified as "Not classified".
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible - - - - It was reported that the substance caused skin irritation (ICSC (J) (2001), HSDB (2005), HSFS (1998), SITTIG, 4th (2002)), but these data were not used for classification because the concrete case was not reported. As relevant notes, it was reported that skin irritation was not observed in 2 tests using rabbits (IUCLID (2000)).
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Not classified - - - - The substance was classified as "Not classified" based on the document of eye irritation test using rabbits that no eye reaction which meets criteria for irritation was observed (ECETOC TR 48 (1992)). As relevant notes, it was reported that the substance caused irritation in human eyes (ICSC (J) (2001), HSDB (2005), HSFS (1998), SITTIG (2002)), but these data were not used for classification because the concrete case was not reported.
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 - - - - The classification was not possible due to lack of in vivo test data. As relevant information, as for in vitro mutagenicity study, negative results in the Ames test were reported (IUCLID (2000)).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - The classification was not possible due to no data available. As relevant information, the IARC (IARC Vol.94 (2010)) described that the evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for nitrates in drinking water was uncertain. And also, it was evaluated the carcinogenicity as "Group 2A" under the conditions that nitrates or nitrites could be nitrosated in vivo after oral ingestion. The comprehensive evaluation of the IARC described additionally as follows: There is an active endogenous nitrogen cycle in humans that involves nitrates and nitrites, which are interconvertible in vivo. Nitrosating agents that arise from nitrites under acidic gastric conditions react readily with compounds which are easily nitrosated, especially secondary amines and amides, to generate N-nitroso compounds. These nitrosating conditions are enhanced following ingestion of additional nitrates, nitrites or nitroso compounds. Some of the N-nitroso compounds have the possibility to form known carcinogens in humans under these conditions.
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible - - - - It was reported that pups weight was reduced in the reproductive study using rats (IUCLID (2000)). However, since the details were unclear, the classification was not possible due to lack of data.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (blood) Danger H370: Causes damage to organs (blood) 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 ...
There were no reports on human health for the substance concerned. With regard to information on general water-soluble nitrates, it was reported that 15 soldiers who ingested sodium nitrate by mistake instead of table salts became methemoglobinemia. Of them, 13 ingested about 15 g died, while two ingested 5 g survived (ECETOC TR 27 (1988)). Based on the information, the substance was classified as Category 1 (blood). Besides, there were descriptions (ICSC (J) (2001), HSFS (2004) and SITTIG, 4th (2002)) indicating that the substance was irritant to respiratory tract. However, this information was not adopted for classification because the information was obtained from the "List 3" information source designated in the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government with no descriptions based on actual exposure cases, etc.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (blood) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (blood) 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 ...
With regard to chronic toxicity of general water-soluble nitrates, there were numerous reports of increased methemoglobin concentrations observed in the infants who ingested meal or water containing nitrates, and case reports of methemoglobinemia observed in the patients administered sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate as a diuretic agent or in the patients treated with ammonium nitrate as an urolithiasis-preventive agent were presented (ECETOC TR27 (1988)). Based on the information, the substance was classified as Category 1 (blood). Besides, the effects on the heart, etc. were reported as ones of nitrates, but these were considered to be secondary effect by methemoglobinemia-induced hypoxia (EHC 5 (1978)).
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 as "Not classified" from its 96h-LC50 = 420 - 1360 mg NO3/L (542 - 1,756 mg/L as ammonium nitrate) for fish (Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and bluegill) (SIDS, 2007) and 24h-EC50 = 555 mg/L for crustacea (Daphnia magna) (SIDS, 2007).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Not classified - - - - Classified as "Not classified" since it is not non-water soluble (water solubility = 2,000 g/L (SIDS, 2007)) and its acute toxicity is low.
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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