NITE - Chemical Management Field

GHS Classification Result

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	25551-13-7
Chemical Name	Trimethylbenzene
Substance ID	H26-B-073, -
Classification year (FY)	FY2014
Ministry who conducted the classification	Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)/Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
New/Revised	Revised
Classification result in other fiscal year	FY2006
Download of Excel format	Excel file

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Item	Information
Guidance used for the classification (External link)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition)
UN GHS document (External link)	UN GHS document
Definitions/Abbreviations (Excel file)	Definitions/Abbreviations
Model Label by MHLW (External link)	MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
Model SDS by MHLW (External link)	MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
OECD/eChemPortal (External link)	eChemPortal

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
1	Explosives	Not applicable	- -	-	-	This substance is a mixture of isomers and contains CAS RN 526-73-8, 95-63-6, 108-67-8. Also refer to the classification results for individual isomers. There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.
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 3	Warning	H226	P303+P361+P353 P370+P378 P403+P235 P210 P233 P240 P241 P242 P243 P280 P501	It was classified in Category 3 based on a flash point of 44-53 deg C (closed cup) (ICSC (2002)).
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	- -	-	-	It is estimated that it does not ignite at normal temperatures from an autoignition temperature of 470-550 deg C (ICSC (2002)).
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	- -	-	-	Organic compounds containing no oxygen, fluorine or chlorine
14	Oxidizing solids	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
15	Organic peroxides	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Organic compounds containing no bivalent -O-O- structure in the molecule
16	Corrosive to metals	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
1	Acute toxicity (Oral)	Not classified	- -	-	-	This substance is an isomer mixture and includes isomers of CAS RN 526-73-8, 95-63-6, and 108-67-8. Please also refer to each classification of individual isomers. Based on a report of an LD50 value for rats of 8,970 mg/kg (HSDB (Access on August 2014)), it was classified as "Not classified."
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not applicable	- -	-	-	Liquid (GHS definition)
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Category 2	Warning	H315	P302+P352 P332+P313 P362+P364 P264 P280 P321	There is a description that this substance was a primary irritant in animals (species are unknown) (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). Besides, there is a report that in a skin irritation test (OECD TG 404 compliant) in which 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (CAS RN:108-67-8) was applied to rabbits, very slight redness and slight edema were observed 1 hour after application, and 144 hours after application, moderate to severe redness were observed, but the edema resolved (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2008)). From the above result, it was classified in Category 2.
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Category 2B	- Warning	H320	P305+P351+P338 P337+P313 P264	There is a description that this substance is irritating to the eyes (HSDB (Access on August 2014)). In addition, there is a description that slight irritation was observed as a result of application of 500 mg of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (CAS RN:108-67-8) to rabbit eyes for 24 hours (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2008)). From the above result, it was classified in Category 2B.
4	Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data. Besides, there is a report that in occupational exposure to mixed solvents containing this substance, when 37 paint shop employees were exposed to solvent vapor (composition: 30% of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 50% of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, other substances possibly contained: 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1-methyl-2-ethylbenzene and 1-methyl-4-ethylbenzene) for 7 years, 70% of humans exposed to the highest concentration developed asthmatic bronchitis (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2008)).However, since this finding is based on mixed exposure and it is not possible to judge whether it is the effect of the substance itself, the data was judged insufficient to use for classification.
4	Skin sensitization	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
5	Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
6	Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
7	Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects)	Warning	H335 H336	P304+P340 P403+P233 P261 P271 P312 P405 P501	Information on this substance is limited, but there are descriptions of respiratory tract irritation in humans (ACGIH (7th, 2001), HSDB (Access on August 2014)), and in experimental animals, central nervous system depression after inhalation exposure of mice to 5,000-9,000 ppm (24,600-44,280 mg/m3) (ACGIH (7th, 2001)). Besides, central nervous system depression was observed outside the guidance value range to give a category. In addition, effects on the central nervous system in experimental animals were symptoms included in narcotic effects. From the above, it was classified in Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects).
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (central nervous system, respiratory organs)	Danger	H372	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	In humans, effects on the central nervous system (nervousness, tension, anxiety) and respiratory organs (asthmatic bronchitis) were observed in many of 27 workers exposed to solvents containing 30% of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and 50% of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene as isomers of this substance for several years (10-60 ppm as hydrocarbon concentrations). In the hematological test, a trend of hypochromic anaemia and blood coagulation abnormalities (prolongation of coagulation time) was shown. It is also described that although the authors claimed that it was effects due to trimethylbenzene exposure, another investigator pointed out that the hematologic toxicity was due to benzene contamination in the solvent (ACGIH (7th, 2001), Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)). In experimental animals, it is described that after inhalation exposure of rats to a trimethylbenzene isomer mixture (composition unknown) at a concentration of 1,700 ppm (8,347 mg/m3) for 4 months, significant central nervous system depression and abnormalities in the hematological test (increases in number of the lymphocytes and neutrophils) with decreased body weight gain were observed, but hematological toxicity may be an effect due to benzene contamination in the test substance (ACGIH (7th, 2001), Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2008)). Therefore, although there is no clear target organ toxicity within and lower than the concentration range of Category 2, at the higher concentration of "Not classified" the result was considered to support the effects on the central nervous system by exposure to this substance in humans. From the above, based on the findings of humans and experimental animals, data on the hematological toxicities were not used to judge the target organ due to insufficient evidence. Therefore, it was classified in Category 1 (central nervous system, respiratory organs). Besides, the previous classification used the data from List 3 or the information source not listed in the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government, and the result was changed this time since it was classified from the information sources of List 1.
10	Aspiration hazard	Category 1	Danger	H304	P301+P310 P331 P405 P501	This substance is a hydrocarbon and its kinematic viscosity as a mixture cannot be calculated since the numerical data that is the basis for the calculation cannot be obtained. However, the kinematic viscosity of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene which is one of the isomers is as low as 8.9 mm2/s and that of the mixture is not considered to be significantly different from this one. Therefore, it was classified in Category 1. Besides, there is a description in ICSC in List 3 that chemical pneumonitis may occur due to aspiration into the lung in the case of ingestion (ICSC (2002)).

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute)	-	- -	-	-	-
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term)	-	- -	-	-	-
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	-	- -	-	-	-

NOTE:

GHS Classification Result by the Japanese Government is intended to provide a reference for preparing a GHS label or SDS for users. To include the same classification result in a label or SDS for Japan is NOT mandatory.
Users can cite or copy this classification result when preparing a GHS label or SDS. Please be aware, however, that the responsibility for a label or SDS prepared by citing or copying this classification result lies with users.
This GHS classification was conducted based on the information sources and the guidance for classification and judgement which are described in the GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government etc. Using other literature, test results etc. as evidence and including different content from this classification result in a label or SDS are allowed.
Hazard statement and precautionary statement will show by hovering the mouse cursor over a code in the column of "Hazard statement" and "Precautionary statement," respectively. In the excel file, both the codes and statements are provided.
A blank or "-" in the column of "Classification" denotes that a classification for the hazard class was not conducted in the year.

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