Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 701-287-1 | CAS number: -
Carcinogenicity
Administrative data
Description of key information
Chromium VI compounds, such as barium chromate (15% in the registered substance), have been classified in IARC carcinogenicity group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans.
Centre international de recherche sur le cancer (CIRC) also identifies CrVI compounds as carcinogens.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Justification for classification or non-classification
All chromium VI compounds without exception have been classified in IARC carcinogenicity group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans, after evidence of carcinogenicity of several chromates (in humans: chromate production, chromate pigment production and chromium plating industries; in animals: calcium chromate, zinc chromates, strontium chromate and lead chromates). The low solubility may be estimated to have an impact on carcinogenic potential, however two other chromates that are IARC-recognized carcinogens in animals encompass the water solubility of barium chromate. There is therefore no apparent reason why barium chromate should be an exception to the carcinogenicity of chromates, and barium chromate should be considered as carcinogenic to Humans. The substance contains 15% of this component.
By reference to CLP classification of chromium VI compounds, Carc 1B, H350 and GHS08 are proposed for the registered substance. This cautious proposal is however not supported by substance-specific data.
Additional information
The registered substance contains 15% of BaCrO4, barium chromate, which is an exception to the general classification requirement of hexavalent chromium (VI) compounds as Carc 1B under CLP. This probably comes from following conclusions drawn by IARC:
"There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of [...]barium chromate", because "Barium chromate has been tested in rats by intrabronchial, intrapleural and intramuscular implantation. No increase in the occurrence of tumours was seen following intrabronchial implantation; the other studies were inadequate to allow an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of this compound."
However, IARC also considered that "There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of chromium[VI] compounds as encountered in the chromate production, chromate pigment production and chromium plating industries. [...] There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of calcium chromate, zinc chromates, strontium chromate and lead chromates", and based on this, IARC classified all chromium VI compounds without exception in carcinogenicity group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans. This means that IARC extended the conclusion to barium chromate, in spite of the limitations of the existing studies on this particular compound.
Source: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans - Volume 49 - Chromium, Nickel and Welding. Last updated: 5 November 1997
Secondary literature water solubility data for different chromates:
Lead chromate 0.58 mg/L (25°C)*
Barium chromate 4.4 mg/L (28°C)
Strontium chromate 1.2 g/L (15°C)*
*= IARC concluded "sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity"
Source of solubility data:Scientific Basis for Swedish Occupational Standards XXI. Criteria Group for Occupational Standards. Ed. Johan Montelius, National Institute for Working Life, S-112 79 Stockholm, Sweden. ISBN 91-7045-582-1, 2000.
Based on the water solubility between that of two compounds evidenced as carcinogens, barium chromate can be anticipated to be a carcinogen in spite of its low solubility, because lead chromate which is less bioavailable is itself a carcinogen.
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