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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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.
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EC number: 269-646-0 | CAS number: 68308-34-9 The complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained by the thermal decomposition (at 399°C (750°F) or higher) of kerogen. It consists of hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen.
Toxicological Summary
Administrative data
Workers - Hazard via inhalation route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 40 µg/m³
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- other:
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- other: OEL
- Value:
- 2 µg/m³
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
The OEL (occupational exposure limit) values for benzo[a]pyrene have been established by the European Agency for Safety and Health. In this report the lowest OEL value for 8 hours exposure is 0.002 mg/cubic metre. Shale Oil Middle fraction typically contains 5% of benzo[a]pyrene; therefore the inhalation DNEL for Shale Oil Middle fraction has been calculated according to the following: 0.002 mg/cubic metre / 5% = 0.04 mg/cubic metre or 40 ug/cubic metre. See discussion for reasoning why only benzo[a]pyrene of all the components needs to be taken into account.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 160 µg/m³
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- other:
- DNEL extrapolated from long term DNEL
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- other: OEL
- Value:
- 8 µg/m³
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
The OEL (occupational exposure limit) values for benzo[a]pyrene have been established by the European Agency for Safety and Health. In this report the lowest OEL value for 15 min exposure is 0.008 mg/cubic metre. Shale Oil Middle fraction typically contains 5% of benzo[a]pyrene; therefore the inhalation DNEL for Shale Oil Middle fraction has been calculated according to the following: 0.008 mg/cubic metre / 5% = 0.16 mg/cubic metre or 160 ug/cubic metre. See discussion for reasoning why only benzo[a]pyrene of all the components needs to be taken into account.
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- medium hazard (no threshold derived)
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- medium hazard (no threshold derived)
DNEL related information
Workers - Hazard via dermal route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 0.4 µg/kg bw/day
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- other:
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- other: AEL
- Value:
- 0.02 µg/kg bw/day
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
The AEL (acceptable exposure limit) for benzo[a]pyrene has been established by Public Health England at 0.02 ug/kg bw/day. Given that Shale Oil Middle fraction contains 5% of benzo[a]pyrene and assuming that dermal absorption is 100% (worst case), the dermal DNEL for Shale Oil Middle fraction is calculated according to the following: 0.02 ug/kg bw/day x 100% / 5% = 0.4 ug/kg bw/day. See discussion for reasoning why only benzo[a]pyrene of all the components needs to be taken into account.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 1.2 µg/kg bw/day
DNEL related information
- DNEL extrapolated from long term DNEL
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
The short-term DNEL for dermal exposure has been derived from the long-term dermal DNEL according to the following: 0.4 ug/kg bw/day x 3 = 1.2 ug/kg bw/day.
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- medium hazard (no threshold derived)
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- medium hazard (no threshold derived)
Workers - Hazard for the eyes
Local effects
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- medium hazard (no threshold derived)
Additional information - workers
The OEL (occupational exposure limit) for benzo[a]pyrene has been taken from the European Agency for Safety and Health report (document attached).
The AEL (acceptable exposure limit) for benzo[a]pyrene has been taken from the Public Health England report (document attached).
Even at 5%, the presence of PAH is still the only component that needs to be taken into consideration in the derivation of DNELs, because comparison of existing reference doses and exposure limits, show that for PAHs is 10,000 lower than the next lowest reference dose i.e. extrapolating the OEL for each oil fraction from the PAH content still results in a lower OEL, than if it were done based on the content of any other of the remaining components. See attached document: "Shale oil: comments on ECHA’s Draft decision".
Available data indicated that the registered substance is of low acute toxicity following oral, dermal and inhalation exposures, however, it is irritating for skin and eyes, and does seem to possess skin sensitisation potential. Complex substances identified as “Shale oils” are classified as carcinogen category 1b (CLP), based on animal studies as well as evidence in humans. Limited genotoxicity testing performed with the current substance, or with related substances, do not suggest genotoxic potential. Some limited in vivo data is available on the registered substance and related substances, however until further proposed in vivo data becomes available it is not appropriate to derive DNELs/DMELs, or propose classification. Until such a time as DMELs/DNELs become available, a qualitative assessment has been performed according to the „Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment – Part E: Risk Characterisation“. On the basis of the classification of similar materials discussed in the public domain, the registered substance might notionally be considered as carcinogen category 1b (CLP), and the importance of this health effect supersedes any other classification (irritation, skin sensitisation). On this basis, the registered substance would notionally be allocated to the high hazard profile category. The manufacturing process for the substance is closed, sampling for quality control purposes is done using a valve and no exposure is expected to occur. Examining the uses of the registered substance, exposure of workers as well as of professional workers can occur only under process category 8b, i.e. during transfer of substance or preparation (charging/discharging) from/to vessels/large containers at dedicated facilities. Relevant routes of exposures are the dermal and, less likely, the inhalation. In order to guarantee adequately control of risks (in the face of a potential carcinogenicity classification), it would be necessary to stipulate risk management measures and operational conditions that prevent dermal and/or inhalation exposures.
General Population - Hazard via inhalation route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
General Population - Hazard via dermal route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
General Population - Hazard via oral route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
General Population - Hazard for the eyes
Local effects
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- no hazard identified
Additional information - General Population
There will be no exposure to the substance of the general population.
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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