Hazard category chemical classification

ECETOC (2004) has proposed a concept of generic threshold values based on hazard categories primarily intended to be used in the risk assessment procedure of industrial chemicals within REACH. The hazard categories are based on EU classihcation limits and for each substance to be risk assessed, inclusion in hazard categories depends on the substance s specific classification (or no classification) according to the Commission Directive 67/548/EC (EC 1967). Three hazard categories have been suggested ... 

The harmonized classification system for acute toxicity has been developed in such a way as to accommodate the needs of existing systems. A basic principle set by the lOMC Coordinating Group/Harmonization of Chemical Classification Systems (CG/HCCS) is that harmonization means establishing a common and coherent basis for chemical hazard classification and communication from which the appropriate elements relevant to means of transport, consumer, worker and environment protection can be selected . To that end, five categories have been included in the acute toxicity scheme. 

Carcinogen classification is a one-step, criterion-based process that involves two interrelated determinations evaluations of strength of evidence and consideration of all other relevant information to place chemicals with human cancer potential into hazard categories. 

For the purpose of classification for reproductive toxicity, chemical substances are allocated to one of two categories. Effects on sexual function and fertility, and on development, are considered. In addition, effects on lactation are allocated to a separate hazard category. 

APPENDIX 2 Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Examples of Hazard Categories... 

Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals 351 7.3.2.10 Pyrophoric Solids Hazard category 1 ... 

Classification as an HNOC does not mean the chemical poses no hazards - only that it does not fit into one of the established GHS hazard classes, or that it falls into a hazard category that OSHA has not adopted, such as Acute Toxicity - Category 5. 

You can use TLVs in a manner similar to that explained for evaluation of toxicity from the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)f (This is also discussed in Sections 3.2.1 and 6.2.1.) Chemicals that are more hazardous have lower TLVs chemicals that are less hazardous have higher TLVs. Table 62.2.2 suggests ranges of TLVs that can help you decide the hazard category of chemicals with TLVs. ... 

Effects on or via lactation shall be classified in a separate single category. Chemicals that are absorbed by women and have been shown to interfere with lactation or that may be present (including metabolites) in breast milk in amounts sufficient to cause concern for the health of a breastfed child, shall be classified to indicate this property hazardous to breastfed babies. This classification shall be assigned on the basis of ... 

TABLE 6.2.2.3 Suggested Classification of Chemicals into Hazard Categories Using TLVs, PELs", RELs, Cal/OSHA PELs, or Other Occupational Limits " ... 

For guidance on the classification of chemicals by hazard category, refer to Appendix VI-A of the UFC. For additional assistance, the supplier of each material should be consulted. Manufacturers are required to publish Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which may assist in determining the hazardous material classification. 

Some bromine compounds are covered specifically under Hazardous Materials Regulations. Other compounds may usually be shipped under the classification of chemicals, not otherwise indexed by name, without special requirements unless from their nature they would fall under a category such as combustible liquid, compressed gas, corrosive liquid (or solid), disinfectant liquid (or solid), dmg, dye intermediate (liquid), fire extinguisher, flammable gas (liquid or solid), insecticide, medicine, oxidizer or oxidizing material, poisonous liquid (gas or solid), solvent, or tear gas. Specific provisions apply to each of these categories and appropriate packaging and labeling are required. 

The states of Washington and California have considered a classification of hazardous chemical waste based on risk and have developed a category of extremely hazardous waste (California, 1999 Mehlhaff et al., 1979 NAS/NRC, 1999b). However, the requirements for treatment and disposal of extremely hazardous waste differ little from those applied to other hazardous waste. Thus, the designation of a class of extremely hazardous waste based on relative hazard has had little effect on waste management and disposal. 

Following the historical development of electrical engineering and explosion protection, zone classification was the objective of national standards and installation rules. Most of the leading industrial countries established an installation practice for chemical plants and the oil and gas industry with two or three zones for areas hazardous due to gas- or vapour-air mixtures and two zones for areas with hazardous dust-air mixtures. Apart from this philosophy, the coal mining industry in most countries tends to avoid an area classification and defines only one category of explosion protection ( firedamp-proof ). More recent standards or directives present a three-zone concept for areas endangered by combustible gas- (vapour-, mist-) air mixtures and dust-air mixtures in industrial plants (other than coal mines). 

Classification is the identification of the hazard(s) of a chemical or mixture by assigning a category of hazard/danger using defined criteria. Hazard classification generally involves the following steps ... 

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