Registration Dossier

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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Workers - Hazard via inhalation route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Local effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Workers - Hazard via dermal route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Workers - Hazard for the eyes

Additional information - workers

The available data suggest no acute or chronic, oral or dermal effects of slags. From mutagenicity studies and despite the widespread use of slags, no CMR potential or other health effect of slags is identified.

The only critical exposure pathway to humans is the inhalation of the dust of fine-grained slags. Therefore exposure by inhalation is considered to be relevant as a threshold mode of action for workers and the general population.

GGBS has been chosen as a representative for the due to its elemental composition and its high fine particle content. Inhalation tests have demonstrated the absence of acute toxicity on vertebrates.

For GGBS a subacute inhalation study (according OECD TG) is planned. Thus, at the moment no scientifically based NOAEC can be derived.

However, the dust limit values - eight hours for inhalable dust are 10 mg/m³ in the European countries which have one and for respirable dust between 3 and 6 mg/m³. Those general dust limits covers all potential effects of inert dusts. The dust limit values of 10 mg/m³ (inhalable dust) and 3 mg/m³ (respirable dust) will therefore be used as DNEL’s for chronic exposure for the whole group.

General Population - Hazard via inhalation route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Local effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

General Population - Hazard via dermal route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

General Population - Hazard via oral route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

General Population - Hazard for the eyes

Additional information - General Population

Exposure of the general population to slags is only incidental.

There are several methods applied to decrease the potential exposure of the general population to ferrous slags e.g.

covering e.g. in road construction by the surface layer of the road

inclusion in matrix e.g. use of slags in asphalt or concrete

reduction of dusting behaviour by e.g. wetting or pelettization