Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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.
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 268-612-2 | CAS number: 68131-30-6 A solution obtained by dissolving the chemicals recovered in the alkaline pulping process in water.
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
The evaluation of toxicokinetics of green liquor applies constituent/ion based approach. Therefore, toxicokinetics of these different ions is discussed separately in the chapters dealing with toxicokinetics. Sodium and potassium hydroxides, sulfides, oxidised sulfur constituents and carbonates, in the GL are dissociated in the body fluids. The true speciation of these ions in the human body is determined mainly by the nature of the ion, pH and ionic composition of the physiological fluids.
Sodium and potassium hydroxides and carbonates in GL are rapidly dissolved in the body. Resulted sodium and potassium ions are normal and essential constituents of the blood and other body fluids and their concentration in the blood is controlled by renal excretion . Carbonate and hydroxide ions in GL could potentially affect the acid-base balance of the body. However, they are usually neutralized by gastric acid and the pH regulation mechanisms of the blood.Therefore they are not expected to be systemically available in the body under normal handling conditions. However, due to their corrosive properties in high concentrations the alkalis might cause burns to the skin and therefore facilitate the exposure of GL to the body.
Soluble sulfide salts dissociate into sulfide ions that are oxidated to sulfates (major metabolic excretory pathway) or methylated (minor detoxification pathway) and excreted by the kidney. Similarly, tiosulfate in GL is excreted by the kidney. Sulfide ions also can react with the hydrogen ions in water to form the hydrosulfide ion (HS¯) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The relative concentrations of these species are a function of the pH of the water; hydrogen sulfide concentrations increase with decreasing pH. After ingestion there can be formation of H2S in the stomach due to acidity.The formed H2S can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, bound by plasma albumin and distributed to different organs causing toxic effects. Direct toxic effects to lung tissues are also possible if volatile H2S is formed and inhaled. It is doubtful whether skin absorbs enough sulfides to cause systemic poisoning. Hydrogen sulfide is excreted primarily as sulfate (free sulfate or thiosulfate) in the urine. It is also excreted unchanged in exhaled air and in feces and flatus.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
