Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 268-615-9 | CAS number: 68131-33-9 The solution formed by reacting the sodium salts of green liquor with calcium hydroxide.
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
- White liquor is regarded as corrosive and irritant to skin according to the results (EC 440/2008 B.40 and B.46, OECD 431, DRAFT OECD Guideline “In vitro Skin irritation: Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RhE) Test Method”, ESAC statement)
- Eye irritation test was waived due to the available information on corrosivity and alkalinity of the substance.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Skin irritation / corrosion
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- adverse effect observed (corrosive)
Additional information
Only one experimental study was available concerning irritation/corrosion (the Key study for skin irritation/corrosion). Other studies could not be found in the literature search.
Based on the experimental results White liquor showed to be corrosive to skin. The mean percentage viability of the treated skin discs after 3 minutes of exposure was 22.5 %, which is below the threshold of 50 % for classification. The mean percentage viability of the treated skin discs after 1 hour of exposure was 17.6 % which is above the threshold of 15 % for classification.
An eye irritation test needed not to be conducted as the test results of the skin irritation/corrosion test proved that White liquor is corrosive to skin (REACH Regulation 1907/2006 Annex VII). A skin corrosive substance is considered also to cause serious eye damage.
Effects on skin irritation/corrosion: highly corrosive
Effect level: empty Endpoint conclusion: Adverse effect observed
Justification for classification or non-classification
White liquor is an inorganic cooking chemical in kraft or soda pulping process. The source materials are sodium salts of Green liquor and calcium oxide. White liquor is a UVCB substance with variable composition. Therefore the irritation/corrosion properties may be somewhat variable.
The skin irritation/corrosion properties (Annex VII, REACH regulation) of a representative White liquor sample were tested by a GLP laboratory during 2009 -2010 (the Key study). No additional experimental data was found on irritation/corrosion through extensive literature searches.
According to the experimental results the corrosive properties of White liquor were:
- Skin corrosive, Cat.1
- (Ocular corrosive or severe irritant to eye; based on skin corrosion)
Additionally, the need for classification according to the CLP rules was evaluated based on the expected maximum concentrations of those identified main ingredients reported in the White liquor typical composition (1.2), which hold a harmonized classification for corrosive properties (sodium hydroxide, EC 215-185-5; sodium sulfide, EC 215 -211 -5; sodium carbonate, EC 207 -838 -8). Based on the estimated maximum concentration of sodium hydroxide (15% w/w) skin corrosion subcategory 1A is given.
According to the main ingredients the corrosive properties of White liquor were:
- Skin corrosive, Cat. 1A
The proposed classification derived from the experimental results and the properties of the main ingredients of White liquor is:
CLP: Corrosive, Category 1A (Causes severe skin burns and eye damage)
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.
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