Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 201-187-3 | CAS number: 79-22-1
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Methyl chloroformate is corrosive to the skin and the eyes
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Skin irritation / corrosion
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- adverse effect observed (corrosive)
Eye irritation
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- adverse effect observed (irritating)
Additional information
skin
A Draize test was performed in which neat methyl chloroformate was applied to two areas of clipped skin, one intact and one abraded, of six rabbits (strain unspecified) (Lazzara, 1975). The occlusive dressings were removed after 24 hours. Skin was scored for erythema and edema (on a scale of 0-4) after removal of the dressings and again at 72 hours. Third degree chemical burns (on both intact and abraded sites) were found at 24 and 72 hours. The primary dermal irritation index (PDII) was 8.0/8.0, which was consistent with a rating of extremely irritating. Since burns occurred, the material was classified as corrosive.
Undiluted methyl chloroformate (0.5 mL) was applied onto the dorsal skin of shaved White Vienna rabbits. Animals were treated for 1, 5 and 15 minutes and two other animals for 20 hours using occlusive conditions. Full thickness necrosis was observed after 1, 5 and 15 minutes and 20 hours exposure; MeCF is corrosive to the skin. The overall PDII score (intact skin) was 6/8.0 (15 minute and 20 h exposures used as approximation for 4 h) (BASF AG, 1975).
eye
Irreversible cornea damage, corrosion, suppuration and staphyloma formation were observed after application of 0.05 ml neat methyl chloroformate into the conjunctival sac into one eye of two White Vienna rabbits. After 8 days, mean scores for corneal opacity, iritis, erythema and chemiosis were 3.0/4, 1.0/2, 2.0/4, and 3.0/4 (BASF AG, 1975).
Undiluted methyl chloroformate (0.1 mL) was instilled into the conjunctival sac of the right eye of 6 albino rabbits (strain not reported). Eyes were not washed after instillation. Observations for corneal opacity were made at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours and 7 days after instillation of material. The maximum average irritation score was 110/110 (at 7 days). The study was terminated at 7 days due to corrosion of the conjunctiva (Lazzara, 1975).
Effects on skin irritation/corrosion: corrosive
Effects on eye irritation: corrosive
Justification for classification or non-classification
Methyl chloroformate is classified according to Annex I of EU Regulation 67/548 as corrosive (R34) and sin irr./corr. cat 1b according to Annex VI of EU Regulation 1272/2008 .
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