Propyl chloroformate

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Propylchloroformate is corrosice to the skin and causes severe eye damage.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin irritation / corrosion

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (corrosive)

Eye irritation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (irreversible damage)

Additional information

Skin irritation:

Undiluted propyl chloroformate (0.5 mL) was applied onto the dorsal skin of two clipped White Vienna rabbits. Animals were treated for 1, 5 and 15 minutes and 2 other animals for 20 hours using occlusive conditions. propyl chloroformate was corrosive to the skin. Persistent erythema (max. 4/4), edema (max. 2/4), and necrosis was observed after 15 min and 20 h exposure. (BASF AG, 1970).

Similar results were obtained in a study conducted according to the method of Draize (IBT, 1970). Undiluted propyl chloroformate (0.5 mL) was applied onto two areas of clipped skin, one intact and one abraded, of four New Zealand White rabbits. The occlusive dressings were removed after 24 hours. The intact and abraded skin sites were individually examined and scored separately for both erythema and edema using the 0 to 4 grading scale at 24 hours and 72 hours. PDII scores were calculated separately for the intact and abraded sites, and an overall PDII was also calculated. Severe erythema, edema and burns were noted at the 24 hr scoring interval; there was no improvement at 72 hrs. The overall PDII score was 8.0/8.0, which was consistent with a rating of extremely irritating.

Eye irritation:

Irreversible cornea damage and staphyloma formation were observed after application of 0.05 mL neat propyl chloroformate into the conjunctival sac of one eye of 4 White Vienna rabbits. Mean scores (24-72 h) for corneal damage, iritis, erythema, and chemiosis were 3.0/4, 2.0/2, 1.8/4, and 2.0/4 (BASF AG, 1970).

Undiluted propyl chloroformate (0.1 mL) was instilled into the conjunctival sac of the right eye of 6 New Zealand White rabbits. Eyes were not washed after instillation. Animals were observed for corneal, iridial, and conjunctival effects at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours and 7 days after instillation of material. Corneal opacity and iridal and conjunctival irritation were noted within one minute after instillation. The irritation became progressively worse and within three to seven days, maximum irritation and damage were present in all three ocular tissues. The average overall irritation score was 109/110 at 7 days. No improvement was noted at 14 days (IBT, 1970).

Justification for classification or non-classification

Classification is according to the legally binding classification in Annex VI to EU Regulation 1272/2008 as skin corrosiv cat. 1B (H314) and causes serious eye damage cat. 1 (H318).