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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.

Diss Factsheets

Toxicological information

Eye irritation

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
eye irritation: in vivo
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment
Remarks:
The purity of the test substance is not known.

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
publication
Title:
The benzenediols: catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone: a review of the industrial toxicology and current industrial exposure limits.
Author:
Flickinger C.W.
Year:
1976
Bibliographic source:
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 37(10), 596-606.

Materials and methods

Test guideline
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
other: Draize test
Deviations:
not specified
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Federal register (1961) pp.7333-7341, Part 191- Hazardous Substances: definitions and Procedural and Interpretative Regulations, Final Order .
GLP compliance:
no

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Pyrocatechol
EC Number:
204-427-5
EC Name:
Pyrocatechol
Cas Number:
120-80-9
Molecular formula:
C6H6O2
IUPAC Name:
pyrocatechol
Details on test material:
Koppers Company, Inc, Catechol C.P. Crystal Lot 68-1.

Test animals / tissue source

Species:
rabbit
Strain:
other: albino
Details on test animals or tissues and environmental conditions:
- Sex: male
- Age: Unknown
No more data

Test system

Vehicle:
unchanged (no vehicle)
Controls:
not required
Amount / concentration applied:
Amount: 0.1 g
Observation period (in vivo):
14 days
Number of animals or in vitro replicates:
6
Details on study design:
The resultant total eye irritation score were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours.
No more data.

Results and discussion

In vivo

Resultsopen allclose all
Irritation parameter:
overall irritation score
Basis:
other: Total eye irritation evaluation
Time point:
24/48/72 h
Score:
78 - 103
Max. score:
110
Reversibility:
not reversible
Remarks on result:
other: No individual data.
Irritation parameter:
cornea opacity score
Basis:
mean
Time point:
24/48/72 h
Reversibility:
not reversible
Remarks on result:
other: No score for cornea opacity has been given. Only the overall irritation score is provided since the study was performed in 1976.
Irritation parameter:
iris score
Basis:
mean
Time point:
24/48/72 h
Reversibility:
not reversible
Remarks on result:
other: No score for iris has been given. Only the overall irritation score is provided since the study was performed in 1976.
Irritation parameter:
conjunctivae score
Basis:
mean
Time point:
24/48/72 h
Reversibility:
not reversible
Remarks on result:
other: No score for conjunctivae has been given. Only the overall irritation score is provided since the study was performed in 1976.
Irritation parameter:
chemosis score
Basis:
mean
Time point:
24/48/72 h
Reversibility:
not reversible
Remarks on result:
other: No score for chemosis has been given. Only the overall irritation score is provided since the study was performed in 1976.
Irritant / corrosive response data:
- 24 h (score = 103): following exposure showed a diffuse deep-crimson red conjunctivitis with individual vessels not easily discernible, swelling with the lids half closed, severe discharge, iritis, and dense corneal opacities in all of the six exposed eyes.
- 48 h (score = 85): the treated eyes remained relatively unchanged.
- 72 h (score = 78): severe conjunctivitis, iritis and diffuse corneal opacities persisted in all of the exposed eyes.
-14 d: all the treated eyes revealed pannus formations and keratoconnus.
- No information regarding the reversibility within 21 days.
Other effects:
Upon application, the conjunctivae became moderately erythematous and oedematous, and moderate exudate and corneal opacity were produced. Signs of marked discomfort were evident and the effects are not fully reversible within 14 days.  No information regarding the reversibility within 21 days.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:
Category 1 (irreversible effects on the eye) based on GHS criteria
Remarks:
Based on the results and since there is no reversibility.
Conclusions:
Catechol causes serious eye damage in EU GHS.
Executive summary:

In a primary eye irritation study (Flickinger, 1976), 0.1 mg of Catechol was instilled into the conjunctival sac of one eye of 6 male albino rabbits. Animals then were observed for 14 days. Irritation was scored by the method of Draize.

Upon application, the conjunctivae became moderately erythematous and oedematous, and moderate exudate and corneal opacity were produced. Signs of marked discomfort were evident. After 14 days of observation, all the treated eyes revealed pannus formations and keratoconnus.

The total evaluation varied from 103 to 78 at 24 to 72 hours.

Based on these results, Catechol causes serious damage to eyes.