Classification environmental hazards

In 1991, the European fabric softener market took a sharp turn. Producers in Germany, the Netherlands, and later in Austria and Switzerland voluntarily gave up the use of DHTDMAC (238) because of pressure from local environmental authorities, who gave an environmentally hazardous classification to DHTDMAC. A number of esterquats were developed as candidates to become successors to DHTDMAC (see Fig. 1). The ester group facihtates biodegradation. 

The Swedish Classification Scheme initiated in 2005 by the Swedish Association of Pharmacy Industries (LIF), the Swedish Medical Products Agency, Apoteket (National Corporation of Swedish Pharmacies), the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions and the Stockholm County Council, take in account Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Toxicity (PBT) characteristics of pharmaceutical products. This voluntary scheme looks at the environmental hazard and the associated risk of pharmaceutical products. The environmental risk is calculated based on the ratio PEC/PNEC according to the EMEA guideline [17,124, 127]. The obtained information is only available on the website www.fss.se, since due to European restrictions it is not possible to include warning labels on the packaging of medications [17]. 

OECD has published a document on a Harmonised integrated classification system for human health and environmental hazards of chemical substances and mixtures (OECD 2001b). Chapter 2.1 addresses a harmonized system for the classification of chemicals which cause acute toxicity, and Chapter 2.8 addresses the chemicals which cause specific target organ oriented systemic toxicity following a single exposure. 

In the OECD document Harmonised integrated classification system for human health and environmental hazards of chemical substances and mixtures (OECD 2001b), the following definitions are provided. 

Chemicals may be classified for physical, health and/or environmental hazards dependent on their intrinsic properties. The relevant classification criteria and labeling elements that need to be... 

The basic idea of the CLH process is the transfer of responsibility for classification and labeling from industrial companies to authorities on a European Community level. In case of active substances in biocidal or plant protection products, all intrinsic properties including physicochemical properties, human health hazards, and environmental hazards are subject to the harmonization. By contrast, in the case of chemicals which are used in other application fields only some specific hazard classes are considered in the CLH procedure. According to Article 36 of the CLP Regulation, these are respiratory sensitization, carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Consequently, these provisions have... 

Scientific reports of oestrogenic activity from short chain alkyl phenols [ 14], together with environmental hazard classifications and increasing voluntary pressures, have resulted in... 

The outcomes of the review are similar to those for new chemicals. However, existing chemicals may have health and environmental hazard classification being assigned and recommendation for either setting or revising an existing occupational exposure standard. 

There are three main categories of hazards namely, fire and explosion hazards, health hazards and environmental hazards. Different evaluation methods exist for each category. Not being experts in every evaluation method, the authors will refer only to the evaluation methods which are generally used. Evaluation methods according to the U.N. classification system, which covers a wide range of hazardous materials, are explained. 

The text is about 560 pages long with much technical detail. It describes physical, health and environmental hazards. For each type of hazard (for instance explo-sivity, carcinogenicity and hazards to the aquatic environment) there is a definition, criteria for classification (for instance as suspected human carcinogen) (Fig. 12.3) and hazard communication instructions with a designated ... 

Technical guidance specific to substitution of chemicals in the German workplace incorporates environmental hazard classifications as part of its selection criteria (TRGS rule 440 refer to previous footnote). 

To facilitate proper use of chemical substances, OECD is developing proposals for classification criteria and labeling of chemical substances in the area of health and environmental hazards and the U.N. Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS is playing a significant role. A Task Force on Harmonization of Classification and Labeling has been established to coordinate the technical work carried out by the experts. 

Development of the GHS began with the work on classification criteria by the OECD Task Force on Harmonization of Classification and Labelling (Task Force on HCL) for health and environmental hazards, and by the UNCETDG/ILO Working Group for Physical Hazards. 

An SDS should be produced for all substances and mixtures which meet the harmonized criteria for physical, health or environmental hazards under the GHS and for all mixtures which contain substances that meet the criteria for carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction or specific target organ systemic toxicity in concentrations exceeding the cut-off limits for SDS specified by the criteria for mixtures (see 1.5.3.1). The competent authority may choose also to require SDS s for mixtures not meeting the criteria for classification as hazardous but which contain hazardous substances in certain concentrations (see 1.5.3.1). 

The approach for classification of aquatic environmental hazards is tiered, and is dependent... 

Figure 4.1.2 Tiered approach to classification of mixtures for acute and chronic aquatic environmental hazards...

A9.5.2.1 Environmental hazard classification of a chemical substance is normally based on existing... 

A9.6.4.7 The Nordic Council of Ministers issued a report (Pederson et al, 1995) entitled Environmental Hazard Classification, that includes information on data collection and interpretation, as well as a section (5.2.8) entitled QSAR estimates of water solubility and acute aquatic toxicity . This section also discusses the estimation of physicochemical properties, including log Kow For the sake of classification purposes, estimation methods are recommended for prediction of minimum acute aquatic toxicity, for ...neutral, organic, non-reactive and non-ionizable compounds such as alcohols, ketones, ethers, alkyl, and aryl halides, and can also be used for aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as sulphides and disulphides, as cited in an earlier OECD Guidance Document (OECD, 1995). The Nordic document also includes diskettes for a computerized application of some of these methods. 

Pedersen, F., H. Tyle, J. R. Niemeldi, B. Guttmann, L. Lander, and A. Wedebrand 1995. Environmental Hazard Classification - data collection and interpretation guide. TemaNord 1995 581... 

OECD Series on Testing and Assessment Number 33, Harmonized Integrated Classification System for Human Health and Environmental Hazards of Chemical Substances and Mixtures (2001). 

Technical support and UK lead to propose and negotiate environmental hazard classifications at EU level for substances and preparations... 

Aerosol products are designated as Level 1, 2, or 3 by the classification system of NFPA 30B, Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products. Level 1 aerosols are considered the least hazardous and Level 3 the most hazardous. This system is based upon the fire hazard of these products. Other hazards such as the acute and chronic health hazards, as well as the environmental hazards of aerosol products are not addressed by the NFPA 30B classification system. The fire hazard associated with aerosol products is determined by either a 12-pallet aerosol classification test or the chemical heat of combustion of all of the constituents within the aerosol can. 

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