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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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

Toxicological information

Endpoint summary

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Administrative data

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Effects on fertility

Effect on fertility: via oral route
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
Adequate information is available on the component substances to characterise the reproductive hazards of these streams after ingestion.
Effect on fertility: via inhalation route
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
Adequate information is available on the component substances to characterise the reproductive hazards of these streams after inhalation.
Effect on fertility: via dermal route
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
Adequate information is available on the component substances to characterise the reproductive hazards of these streams after skin contact.
Additional information

The available data onstream constituents benzene, cyclohexane and xylenes do not indicate reproductive toxicity of a severity that would warrant classification. However, n-hexane causes specific adverse effects on testes and thus is suspected to have effects on fertility, and toluene is classified as Rep Cat 2 (H361d) according to the CLP Regulation. Therefore, unless n-hexane or toluene are present, Aliphatics and Cyclics C5 and Higher streams are not considered to be reproductive toxicants and no classification or labelling is warranted.

n-Hexane (Classification: Category 2, H361): Testicular atrophy in male rats is seen after repeated dose oral or inhalation exposure to generally high doses of n-hexane which also produce peripheral neuropathy and other systemic effects.

Toluene (Classification: Category 2, H361d):There is no evidence that toluene produces malformation in animals or humans. There is some evidence of developmental toxicity (lower body weight at birth and delayed vaginal opening) at toluene exposure concentrations ≥ 1000 ppm, concentrations which are associated with slight maternal toxicity. The NOAEC for developmental and maternal effects is 600 ppm (2261mg/m3) (Thiel and Chahoud, 1997).


Short description of key information:
It is recognised that there is a data gap for a multi-generation study (REACH reference 8.7.3). The applicant submits that this study does not need to be conducted as Aliphatics and Cyclics C5 and Higher streams contain at least 0.1% benzene which are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic. The specific reproduction toxicity data on streams within this category are limited to a single 4 week general toxicity and reproduction/developmental toxicity screening study (OECD 422) by inhalation exposure to rats with Pyrolysis C5 (CAS 68476-55-1). This study showed no evidence of reproduction toxicity at the highest concentration tested (1012 ppm). Data on the fertility of specific components present in some streams indicate that only n-hexane possesses specific effects which warrant labelling. Therefore for streams that contain n-hexane at concentrations greater than or equal to 3%, classification is required for effects on fertility.

Justification for selection of Effect on fertility via oral route:
n-Hexane, present in some streams, has been shown to adversely affect fertility. However controls to protect against the carcinogenicity of benzene (present in all streams at 0.1% and above) will mitigate such risks to reproduction.

Justification for selection of Effect on fertility via inhalation route:
n-Hexane, present in some streams, has been shown to adversely affect fertility. However controls to protect against the carcinogenicity of benzene (present in all streams at 0.1% and above) will mitigate such risks to reproduction.

Justification for selection of Effect on fertility via dermal route:
n-Hexane, present in some streams, has been shown to adversely affect fertility. However controls to protect against the carcinogenicity of benzene (present in all streams at 0.1% and above) will mitigate such risks to reproduction.

Effects on developmental toxicity

Description of key information
It is recognised that there is a data gap for a developmental toxicity study (REACH reference 8.7.2). The applicant submits that this study does not need to be conducted as Aliphatics and Cyclics C5 and Higher streams contain at least 0.1% benzene which are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic. The specific developmental toxicity data on streams within this category are limited to a single 4 week general toxicity and reproduction/developmental toxicity screening study (OECD 422) by inhalation exposure to rats on Pyrolysis C5 (CAS 68476-55-1). This study showed no evidence of developmental toxicity at the highest concentration tested (1012 ppm). Data on the developmental toxicity of specific components present in some streams indicate that only toluene is recognised as possessing specific effects which warrant labelling. Therefore for streams that contain toluene at concentrations greater than or equal to 3%, classification is required for developmental toxicity.
Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
Adequate information is available on the component substances to characterise the developmental hazards of these streams after ingestion.
Effect on developmental toxicity: via inhalation route
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
Adequate information is available on the component substances to characterise the developmental hazards of these streams after inhalation.
Effect on developmental toxicity: via dermal route
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
Adequate information is available on the component substances to characterise the developmental hazards of these streams after skin contact
Additional information

The available data on the specific components benzene, cyclohexane and xylenes do not reveal developmental toxicity of a severity that would warrant classification. However, data on toluene indicate evidence of developmental toxicity at exposures of ≥ 1000 ppm. Therefore, unless toluene is present, Aliphatics and Cyclics C5 and Higher streams are considered not to be reproductive toxicants and no classification or labelling is warranted.

Toluene (Classification: Category 2, H361d): There is no evidence that toluene produces malformation in animals or humans. There is some evidence of developmental toxicity (lower body weight at birth and delayed vaginal opening) at toluene exposure concentrations ≥ 1000 ppm, concentrations which are associated with slight maternal toxicity. The NOAEC for developmental and maternal effects is 600 ppm (2261mg/m3) (Thiel and Chahoud, 1997).


Justification for selection of Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route:
Toluene, present in some streams, has been shown to adversely affect the foetus. However controls to protect against the carcinogenicity of benzene (present in all streams at 0.1% and above) will mitigate such risks to foetal development.

Justification for selection of Effect on developmental toxicity: via inhalation route:
Toluene, present in some streams, has been shown to adversely affect the foetus. However controls to protect against the carcinogenicity of benzene (present in all streams at 0.1% and above) will mitigate such risks to foetal development.

Justification for selection of Effect on developmental toxicity: via dermal route:
Toluene, present in some streams, has been shown to adversely affect the foetus. However controls to protect against the carcinogenicity of benzene (present in all streams at 0.1% and above) will mitigate such risks to foetal development.

Justification for classification or non-classification

The need for 2-generation reproduction toxicity and full developmental toxicity studies for Aliphatics and Cyclics C5 and Higher streams is waived as they are classified as mutagenic and carcinogenic. There are sufficient data available on component substances to conclude that streams within this class that contain less than 3% toluene or n-hexane are not reproductive toxicants and do not require a label for this endpoint. Aliphatic and Cyclic C5 and Higher streams which contain ≥ 3% toluene should be classified Category 2, H361d according to Reg (EC) 1272/2008. Streams that contain ≥ 5% toluene are classified Category 2, H361 according to Reg (EC) 1272/2008.

Additional information