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Description of key information

Titanium tetrachloride is corrosive to the skin, the eyes and irritating to the respiratory tract.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin irritation / corrosion

Link to relevant study records
Reference
Endpoint:
skin irritation / corrosion, other
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: see 'Remark'
Remarks:
The study was performed in 1949 and did not follow any recognisable guideline. Application to the skin was carried twice per day on three consecutive days. Nevertheless, the conclusion of the study is consistent with expectation for the test substance, which hydrolysis to produce hydrochloric acid in contact with moist air and surfaces, and is therefore considered reliable.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Undiluted test substance was applied to an area of clipped skin on each of three white guinea pigs. Applications were made twice per day on three
consecutive days.
GLP compliance:
no
Species:
guinea pig
Strain:
not specified
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
No information available.
Type of coverage:
not specified
Preparation of test site:
shaved
Vehicle:
unchanged (no vehicle)
Controls:
no
Amount / concentration applied:
No information available.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
No information available.
Observation period:
No information available.
Number of animals:
3
Details on study design:
No information available.
Irritation parameter:
other:
Remarks:
No data available
Basis:
other:
Remarks:
No data available
Time point:
other: No data available
Reversibility:
not specified
Remarks on result:
not determinable
Remarks:
The result of exposure was a skin burn in each case which resulted in the destruction of the outer layers of the skin comparable to a second degree heat burn.
Irritant / corrosive response data:
The result of exposure was a skin burn in each case which resulted in the destruction of the outer layers of the skin comparable to a second degree heat burn.
Other effects:
The authors of the study report that in addition to liberation of HCl, the reaction of titanium tetrachloride with water is strongly exothermic and may therefore cause heat burns in addition to chemical corrosivity.

No information was provided in the test report relating to scores for irritation parameters. The result of exposure was a skin burn in each case which resulted in the destruction of the outer layers of the skin comparable to a second degree heat burn.

Interpretation of results:
corrosive
Remarks:
Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: expert judgment
Conclusions:
Application of undiluted TiCl4 to the skin of guinea pigs resulted in tissue destruction comparable to second degree thermal burns. TiCl4 hydrolyses rapidly in contact with moisture, liberating hydrochloric acid, therefore the result of the study is consistent with expectation for exposure to HCl, and it can be concluded that TiCl4 is corrosive to skin.
Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
adverse effect observed (corrosive)

Eye irritation

Link to relevant study records
Reference
Endpoint:
eye irritation: in vitro / ex vivo
Data waiving:
other justification
Justification for data waiving:
the study need not be conducted because the available information indicates that the criteria are met for classification as corrosive to the skin or irritating to eyes
Conclusions:
The eye irritation study does not need to be conducted as the substance is corrosive.
Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
adverse effect observed (irritating)

Respiratory irritation

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
adverse effect observed (irritating)

Additional information

A study in guinea pigs showed second degree burns. Hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride produces hydrochloric acid, which is labelled as C; R34 under Directive 67/548/EEC and ‘Skin corr. 1B Causes severe skin burns and eye damage’ under 1272/2008. Titanium tetrachloride itself is labelled as C; R34 under Directive 67/548/EEC and ‘Skin corr. 1B Causes severe skin burns and eye damage’ under 1272/2008.

In accordance with Column 2 of REACH Annex VII, Eye irritation studies do not have to be carried out because the available information indicates that the substance meets the criteria for classification as corrosive to skin. Based on the above stated results on skin corrosion titanium tetrachloride is deemed similarily corrosive to the eye Category 1 (Danger, H318: Causes serious eye damage) according to CLP as implementation of UN GHS in the EU (REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL).

In a respiratory irritation study (see chapter 7.9.3: Specific investigations: respiratory irritation 7.9.3.002 DuPont 1980) an RD50 value of 2.43 mg/L was determined for the rat following the method of Alarie. Based on its irritating action on the respiratory tract, titanium tetrachloride is classified as acute inhalation toxicity category 2 (H330: Fatal if inhaled.) and as STOT SE Category 3 (H335: May cause respiratory irritation.).

Justification for classification or non-classification

Hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride produces hydrochloric acid, which is sufficient to justify the classification of titanium tetrachloride. This conclusion is confirmed by test results and by accidental human exposure.