Registration Dossier

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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Workers - Hazard via inhalation route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Local effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Workers - Hazard via dermal route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Workers - Hazard for the eyes

Additional information - workers

Zirconium tetrachloride does not become available in the body due to its quasi-instantaneously degradation on contact with moist skin or mucous membranes and it becomes hydrogen chloride and ZrOCl2.Moreover, ZrOCl2 is also unstable in contact with water and decomposes into ZrO2 (no hazardous substance) and hydrogen chloride.On the basis of this degradation, zirconium tetrachloride is corrosive (due to the hydrogen chloride) and is classified as corrosive to the skin and the respiratory tract.

This conclusion (corrosive effect) was confirmed by a secondary source (Tatah M. et al., 1996) which refers only to accidental exposures and the effects which were associated:

  • by inhalation: upper airway damage (severe irritation and possible evolution to a stenosis) and respiratory damage (lung irritation may evolve to a pulmonary oedema lesion).
  • by ingestion (poisoning): gastro-intestinal tract necrosis with severe gastroenteritis, granular and vacuole degeneration of renal tubules and hepatic necrosis with fatty degeneration and hepatic cells atrophy.
  • by dermal contact: dermal damage (burns) and eye damage from simple conjunctiva irritation to severe corneal damage

Consequently, no specific DNEL, for acute and systemic effects, can be derived and a qualitative approach will be performed for both exposure assessment and risk characterisation.

Concerning the inhalation, in specific situation related to industrial process where water is introduced, the qualitative approach should be completed by a quantitative approach to take into account the relevant degradation product (hydrogen chloride). The health risk assessment, based on this quantitative approach, is performed using the toxicity data of hydrogen chloride which is considered in its relative registration dossier (sufficient data related to toxicological properties are generated for this substance).

Tatah M., Stoklov M., Pelissier N.. Evaluation de l’exposition professionnelle au zirconium lors de la fabrication du métal. Institut Universitaire de Médecine du Travail et de l'Environnement - Laboratoire de Médecine du Travail et Toxicologie. Avril 1996.

General Population - Hazard via inhalation route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

Local effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

General Population - Hazard via dermal route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

General Population - Hazard via oral route

Systemic effects

Acute/short term exposure
DNEL related information

General Population - Hazard for the eyes

Additional information - General Population

Zirconium tetrachloride does not become available in the body due to its quasi-instantaneously degradation on contact with moist skin or mucous membranes and it becomes hydrogen chloride and ZrOCl2.Moreover, ZrOCl2 is also unstable in contact with water and decomposes into ZrO2 (no hazardous substance) and hydrogen chloride.On the basis of this degradation, zirconium tetrachloride is corrosive (due to the hydrogen chloride) and is classified as corrosive to the skin and the respiratory tract.

Consequently, no specific DNEL, for acute and systemic effects, can be derived and a qualitative approach will be performed for both exposure assessment and risk characterisation.

Concerning the inhalation, in specific situation related to industrial process where water is introduced, the qualitative approach should be completed by a quantitative approach to take into account the relevant degradation product (hydrogen chloride). The heath risk assessment, based on this quantitative approach, is performed by using the toxicity data of hydrogen chloride which is considered in its relative registration dossier (sufficient data related to toxicological properties are generated for this substance).

For more information, see the discussion for workers.