Lithium metaborate

Skin sensitisation

Administrative data

Endpoint:

skin sensitisation, other

Type of information:

read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Justification for type of information:

A literature review of available data which is considered relevant to dilithium tetraborate was conducted to ascertain the potential for skin sensitisation effects.
At physiological pH, the substances dissociate and release boric acid and lithium ions as a result of relevant transformation pathways. The literature review looked at a range of borate substances including boric acid, disodium tetraborate anhydrous, disodium tetraborate pentahydrate and disodium tetraborate decahydrate which reported no signs of skin sensitisation. Data collected in the weight of evidence report also noted that it is unlikely that the lithium cation would cause sensitisation by skin contact. As lithium metaborate will dissociate to the same common compounds, then the weight of evidence report can also be used to cover the sensitisation endpoint for the REACH registration of lithium metaborate.

Materials and methods

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Lithium metaborate

EC Number:

236-631-5

EC Name:

Lithium metaborate

Cas Number:

13453-69-5

Molecular formula:

BHO2.Li

IUPAC Name:

lithium metaborate

Results and discussion

In vivo (non-LLNA)

Results

Key result

Remarks on result:

other: Weight of evidence approach

Remarks:

This is a weight of evidence which is based on different types of data which are considered relevant to the assessment of the likelihood of skin sensitising effects.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:

GHS criteria not met

Conclusions:

Based on the available in vivo test data for analogous substances which indicate an absence of skin sensitising effect, an absence of evidence from widespread consumer and occupational use of inorganic borates and very low dermal penetration, it can be concluded that all lithium borates are unlikely to cause sensitisation by skin contact.

Executive summary:

A literature review of available data which is considered relevant to dilithium tetraborate was conducted to ascertain the potential for skin sensitisation effects. At physiological pH, the lithium borates dissociate and release boric acid and lithium ions as a result of relevant transformation pathways. The literature review looked at a range of borate substances including boric acid, disodium tetraborate anhydrous, disodium tetraborate pentahydrate and disodium tetraborate decahydrate which reported no signs of skin sensitisation.  Data collected in the weight of evidence report also noted that it is unlikely that the lithium cation would cause sensitisation by skin contact. As lithium metaborate will dissociate to the same common compounds as dilithium tetraborate, then the weight of evidence report can also be used to cover the sensitisation endpoint for the REACH registration of lithium tetrahydroxyborate. Classification as a skin sensitiser is therefore not required.