|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NIOSH Home > Safety and Health Topics >Skin Exposures and Effects >Occupational & Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals- 2005> Abstracts |
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
From experimental data to Material Safety Data Sheets and R-phrases Fritz Kalberlah Providers of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) may use the European classification and labelling directive for single substances (directive 67/548/EEC, annex 1) and for preparations (directive 1999/45/EEC) to simply copy the risk phrases (R-phrases) relevant for dermal contact with hazardous substances. However, this information may be a) better understood, b) supplemented, c) differentiated, if the provider knows more about the scientific background of these risk phrases. Also, the user of the MSDS should know about this background and its limitations and which additional information is needed in order to appropriately assess the dermal risk. The short-course helps to get an understanding of both input interpretation of experimental data and output interpretation of data provided. OECD guidelines for experimental testing and other sources for specific dermal Rphrases are briefly summarised, examples how to derive more detailed information from experimental studies are given and limitations of the meaning of risk phrases are discussed. The assessment of the dermal risk on the basis of the data in the MSDS is outlined. An example: R-phrase R43 (“'May cause sensitisation by skin contact'”) is assigned, e.g. based on the results of assays according to OECD testing guidelines 406 or 429. Supplemental interpretation of experimental test results not only allows to assign the appropriate R-phrase (R43) but also to specify the potency of the sensitising property (“strong or weak sensitiser”). Thus, dermal risk assessments may be improved by employing this supplemental information and describe the consequences in a “high quality” MSDS. Content last modified: 14 May 2005 |
