GHS Classification Result

日本語で表示



GENERAL INFORMATION
Item Information
CAS RN 100-42-5
Chemical Name Styrene
Substance ID H27-B-078/C-130B_P
Classification year (FY) FY2015
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 FY2007   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 (Ver. 1.1))
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
-
-
- - 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
Based on a flash point of 31 deg C (closed cup), and a boiling point of 145 deg C (ICSC (2006)), it was classified in Category 3. Besides, it is classified in Class 3, PG III (UN 2055, stabilized) in UNRTDG.
7 Flammable solids Not applicable
-
-
- - Liquid (GHS definition)
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Classification not possible
-
-
- - There is an unsaturated bond (olefins) in the chemical structure, but the classification is not possible due to no data. Besides, the stabilized one is classified in Class 3, PG III (UN 2055, stabilized) in UNRTDG and does not correspond to the highest precedence, self-reactive substances and mixtures, therefore, it is classified in Type G.
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not classified
-
-
- - It is estimated that it does not ignite at normal temperatures from an autoignition temperature of 490 deg C (ICSC (2006)).
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
-
-
- - There are 7 reports of LD50 values for rats of 2,650 mg/kg (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015)), 5,000 mg/kg (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015)), 5,000 mg/kg (ATSDR (2010), ACGIH (7th, 2001), OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 1999), JECFA FAS 19 (1984)), 5,000 mg/kg (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.1 (Ministry of the Environment, 2002)), 5,000 mg/kg (EHC 26 (1983)), 5,500 mg/kg (JECFA FAS 19 (1984)), and 1,000-5,000 mg/kg (PATTY (6th, 2012)). Since the largest number of data (6 cases) correspond to "Not Classified" (5 cases of them correspond to Category 5 in UN GHS classification), it was classified as "Not classified" (Category 5 in UN GHS classification). Besides, as one of them is a value obtained by summarizing multiple data, it was not adopted for the classification.
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) Category 4


Warning
H332 P304+P340
P261
P271
P312
Based on reported LC50 values (4 hours) for rats of 2,770 ppm (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015), ATSDR (2010), Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007), ACGIH (7th, 2001), OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 1999)), 2,800 ppm (2 cases) (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007)), and 6,000 ppm (PATTY (6th, 2012)), it was classified in Category 4. Besides, since the LC50 values were lower than 90% of the saturated vapour pressure concentration (7,206 ppm), a reference value in the unit of ppm was applied as vapour without mist.
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 are reports that in skin irritation tests with rabbits, significant irritation and partial degeneration of the skin were observed (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007)), and a description that this substance is irritating to the skin and causes redness and pain due to the contact with the skin (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015)). From the above, it was classified in Category 2.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2A


Warning
H319 P305+P351+P338
P337+P313
P264
P280
There is a report that conjunctival redness, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, etc. were seen in an eye irritation test (OECD TG 405) with rabbits, and conjunctival redness was observed until the 7th day in one of 4 animals (ECETOC TR 48 (1992)). In addition, for multiple eye irritation tests with rabbits, there is a description that moderate conjunctival irritation and damage were seen on the application of this substance, and the symptoms persisted for 7 days (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007)), and inflammation and swelling of the eyelids are reported (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007)), and there are reports that eye irritation was seen (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007), EHC 26 (1983)). Also for humans, there are multiple reports of the irritation due to the exposure to this substance (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007), EHC 26 (1983)). From the above, based on the description of the moderate irritation in the animal tests, it was classified in Category 2A.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data.
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data.
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Category 2


Warning
H341 P308+P313
P201
P202
P280
P405
P501
As for in vivo, it was positive and negative in micronucleus tests with mouse bone marrow cells, negative in micronucleus tests with bone marrow cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats, a micronucleus test with chinese hamster bone marrow cells, negative in a chromosomal aberration test with mouse bone marrow cells, positive and negative in chromosomal aberration tests with rat bone marrow cells, negative in a chromosomal aberration test with chinese hamster bone marrow cells, positive in sister chromatid exchange tests with mouse bone marrow cells and rat peripheral blood lymphocytes, positive or negative in DNA strand break tests with mouse bone marrow cells and rat peripheral blood lymphocytes, and negative in an unscheduled DNA synthesis test with mouse liver (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007), Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015), ATSDR (2010), IARC 60 (1994), IARC 82 (2002)). As for in vitro, there were positive and negative results in all of bacterial reverse mutation tests, gene mutation tests, micronucleus tests, chromosomal aberration tests, and sister chromatid exchange tests with cultured mammalian cells (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007), Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015), IARC 60 (1994), IARC 82 (2002), ATSDR (2010)). From the above, it was classified in Category 2 in accordance with the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.
6 Carcinogenicity Category 2


Warning
H351 P308+P313
P201
P202
P280
P405
P501
As for humans, after exposure to styrene, an increase in the risk of lymphohematopoietic tumors such as leukemia and lymphoma was pointed out, and many cohort studies were conducted in workers in the fiber-reinforced plastics manufacturing industry, or workers in styrene-butadiene rubber manufacturing plants in Europe and the United States. But there were both results suggesting an increase in the risk of lymphohematopoietic tumors and results that there was no excess risk, and in the results showing the increased risk of tumors, generally the excess was small, the statistical power was weak, and in some cases, a significant difference was obtained only in the subgroup (IARC 82 (2002)).
As for experimental animals, in the inhalation route, no increase in the tumor incidence was observed even by the exposure at up to 1,000 ppm in two studies of 1-year or 2-year exposure tests with rats (IARC 82 (2002)). On the other hand, in a 2-year test with mice exposed by inhalation, an increase in the incidence of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas at doses in the range of 20-160 ppm, and an increase in the incidence of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas (in females) at 160 ppm were observed (IARC 82 (2002)). In the oral route, there was no increase in tumor incidence in either of the two tests in which rats were dosed by gavage for 52 weeks or 78 weeks, at doses up to 250 mg/kg/day or 1,000 mg/kg/day respectively, and no increase in tumor incidence was observed in a test with rats dosed by drinking water at doses up to 250 ppm for 2 years. In contrast, in a 78-week test with mice dosed by gavage, a significant increase in the combined incidence of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas and carcinomas in males and an increasing tendency of them, which was not statistically significant, in females were observed from the low dose of 150 mg/kg/day group (IARC 82 (2002)). In general, there was no evidence of carcinogenicity in rats, but in mice in both the inhalation and oral routes, an increase in lung tumor incidence was suggested (IARC 82 (2002)).
From the above results, IARC classified it in Group 2B since evidence for carcinogenicity due to styrene exposure was limited in both humans and experimental animals (IARC 82 (2002)). As for classification results by other organizations, ACGIH classified it in A4 since 1997 (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), NTP as R since 2011 (NTP RoC (13th, 2014)) and Japan Society for Occupational Health in 2B (Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits (2015)) respectively. Among these, it is also described in NTP Report on Carcinogens, 13th edition, as a result of an additional evaluation of data including those from a new cohort study targeting synthetic rubber factory workers since the year of IARC issuance, evidence for carcinogenicity due to styrene exposure in humans is limited (NTP RoC (13th, 2014)).
From the above, based on the classification results by IARC and Japan Society for Occupational Health, it was classified in Category 2 for this hazard class. Besides, EU has not assigned classification category for the carcinogenicity of this substance (ECHA CL Inventory (Access on September 2015)).
7 Reproductive toxicity Category 1B


Danger
H360 P308+P313
P201
P202
P280
P405
P501
There is a report that an increase in the ratio of spontaneous abortions in female workers who worked in styrene or viscose rayon manufacturing plants was seen, but there is also a report that an increase in spontaneous abortions was not seen in the subsequent study (IARC 82 (2002), OEL Documentations (Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH), 2015), ATSDR (2010)). In addition, there is a report that in the group of women who were occupationally exposed to styrene, disorder of the menstrual cycle, secondary amenorrhea, lower values of birth weight (4%, no statistically significant difference), etc. were seen, however, it has been found that the female workers were exposed to multiple solvents simultaneously other than styrene (IARC 82 (2002), OEL Documentations (Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH), 2015), ATSDR (2010)).
As for experimental animals, it is reported that styrene clearly had placental permeability in rats and mice, and the styrene concentration in fetuses was approximately 50% of the blood concentrations in the maternal animals in rats (IARC 82 (2002)). As for developmental toxic effects, there is a description that in a test in which pregnant mice were exposed by inhalation to 250 ppm of this substance during the organogenesis period (gestational day 6-16), an increase in fetal death and embryo/fetal resorption, and an increased incidence in the induction of malformations were observed, and in addition, there is a description that, in a test in which after pregnant rats were exposed by inhalation at up to 300 ppm on gestational day 7-21, spontaneously delivered, the effects on the development of the nervous system of the pups were evaluated, a lower value of birth weight, delay in growth indexes such as eye opening and tooth eruption, and delay in development of neuronal function and equilibrium function such as decreases in acoustic startle response and righting reflex were observed, and the relationship between these neurobehavioral effects and a decrease in the serotonin concentration in the brain was suggested (OEL Documentations (Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH), 2015), ATSDR (2010)).
From the above, as for humans, no data related to the exposure concentrations were obtained for the increase in the risk of infertility and abnormalities of pregnancy and birth and styrene exposure, there were so many confounding factors in reported reproductive effects, and evidence for effects on humans was not sufficient, but in animal experiments, effects on the next generation were shown in many experiments, therefore, Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) classified it as reproductive toxicant Group 2 (OEL Documentations (2015)). Therefore, it was classified in Category 1B for this hazard class. Besides, EU classified this substance as "Repr. 2" (EU CL Inventory (Access on September 2015)).
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 1 (central nervous system), Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects)



Danger
Warning
H370
H335
H336
P308+P311
P260
P264
P270
P321
P405
P501
P304+P340
P403+P233
P261
P271
P312
This substance is irritating to the respiratory tract and has narcotic effects at high concentrations (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015), ACGIH (7th, 2001), ATSDR (2010), PATTY (6th, 2012)). As for humans, there are reports of incoordination, impairment of balance sense, slight muscle weakness, vestibular-oculomotor disorder and acute neurotoxicity, and reports of dizziness, lethargy, headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and loss of consciousness in the inhalation route and nausea and vomiting in the oral route (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015), ATSDR (2010), ACGIH (7th, 2001), PATTY (6th, 2012)).
As for experimental animals, there are reports of hypoactivity, stupor, incoordination, tremors, and coma by inhalation exposure in rats, and decreased respiratory rate, and severe coagulative necrosis of centrilobular hepatocytes by inhalation exposure in mice (ACGIH (7th, 2001), ATSDR (2010), PATTY (6th, 2012)).
From the above, this substance has effects on the central nervous system in addition to respiratory tract irritation and narcotic effects, therefore, it was classified in Category 1 (central nervous system), Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects). As for the report of coagulative necrosis of centrilobular hepatocytes, it was not adopted because the details were unknown.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (nervous system, respiratory organs, haemal system, liver)


Danger
H372 P260
P264
P270
P314
P501
As for humans, it is reported that effects on the central nervous system including impaired color vision and high frequency hearing loss were observed (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), it is reported that effects were mainly observed in the nervous system (ATSDR (2010)), and effects on the skin and mucosa, central and peripheral nervous system and liver are particularly important. The main effects on humans are reported as disorder of the peripheral and autonomic nervous system, neurobehavioral effects, abnormality of electroencephalogram, and impairment of short-term memory other than impaired color vision (Documentation for Occupational Exposure Limits Based on Biological Monitoring (Japan Society of Occupational Health (JSOH), 2007)). It causes obstructive pulmonary disorder, chronic bronchitis, etc. as effects on the respiratory organs. In addition, there are reports that effects on the central nervous system such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue, confusion, and insomnia, effects on psychoneurotic function such as reaction time, decline in verbal memory, effects on vision and hearing, effects on the haemal system, and effects on the liver such as increased activity of AST, ALT, and GGT were observed (Initial Risk Assessment Report (NITE, CERI, NEDO, 2007)).
Also in experimental animals, effects on the nervous system, respiratory tract mucosa, haemal system and the liver were observed. The effects on the liver were seen in the range for Category 1 or 2, but the others were the effects of exposure at high concentrations, exceeding the range for Category 2.
As described above, effects were mainly observed on the nervous system in humans, and in addition, effects on the respiratory organs, haemal system and liver were observed.
Therefore, it was classified in Category 1 (nervous system, respiratory organs, haemal system, liver).
10 Aspiration hazard Category 1


Danger
H304 P301+P310
P331
P405
P501
There is no evidence based on direct cases in humans, but this substance is a hydrocarbon, and the kinetic viscosity is calculated to be 0.772 mm2/sec (25 deg C) from the numerical data (viscosity: 0.696 mPas (25 deg C), density: 0.9016 g/cm3 (25 deg C)) listed in HSDB (Access on September 2015). Therefore, it was classified in Category 1 in accordance with the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.

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) Category 1


Warning
H400 P273
P391
P501
From 96-hour EC50 = 0.72 mg/L for algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) (CEPA, 2003, Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances vol. 13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015)), it was classified in Category 1.
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Category 2


-
H411 P273
P391
P501
If chronic toxicity data are used, then it is classified in Category 2 due to being rapidly degradable (a degradation rate by 14-day BOD = 100%, a degradation rate by GC = 100% (Official Bulletin of Ministry of International Trade and Industry, 1979)), and 96-hour NOEC = 0.063 mg/L for algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances vol. 13 (Ministry of the Environment, 2015)).
If acute toxicity data are used for a trophic level for which chronic toxicity data are not obtained, then it is classified as "Not classified" due to rapid degradability and a low bioaccumulation estimate (log Kow = 2.95 (PHYSPROP Database, 2009)) although 96-hour LC50 = 2.5 mg/L for fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (CEPA, 2003).
By drawing a comparison between the above results, it was classified in Category 2.
12 Hazardous to the ozone layer Classification not possible
-
-
- - No data available.


NOTE:
* A blank or "-" in a cell of classification denotes that the classification of the hazard class was not conducted.
* Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement will show when hovering the mouse over a code of Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement.
Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement are also provided in the Excel file.
* 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.
* Codes assigned to each of the hazard statements and codes for each of the precautionary statement are
based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in United Nations.

To GHS Information