• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.233-242
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• 2019

Substance identification is the first step of the REACH registration. It is essential in terms of Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation and because even trace amounts of impurities or additives can affect the classification. In this study, a scheme for the screening, quantification, and interpretation of trace amounts of hazardous inorganic substances is proposed to detect the presence of more than 0.1% hazardous inorganic substances that have been affecting the hazard classification. An exemplary list of hazardous inorganic substances was created from the substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in REACH. Among 201 SVHCs, there were 67 inorganic SVHCs containing at least one or ~2-3 heavy metals, such as As, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb, Sb, and Sn, in their molecular formula. The inorganic SVHCs are listed in excel format with a search function for these heavy metals so that the hazardous inorganic substances, including each heavy metal and the calculated ratio of its atomic weight to molecular weight of the hazardous inorganic substance containing it, can be searched. The case study was conducted to confirm the validity of the established scheme with zinc oxide (ZnO). In a substance that is made of ZnO, Pb was screened by XRF analysis and measured to be 0.04% (w/w) by ICP-OES analysis. After referring to the list, the presence of Pb was interpreted just as an impurity, but not as an impurity relevant for the classification. Future studies are needed to expand on this exemplary list of hazardous inorganic substances using proper regulatory data sources.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.280-291
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• 2020

Objectives: Hazard classification is a controversial issue in the new MSDS system in which chemical companies have to prepare and submit MSDS for chemicals that they manufacture or import to the competent authorities according to the amended Occupational Safety and Health Act. The aim of this study is to suggest how to apply and manage harmonized hazard classification criteria and results by investigating current hazard classification systems and trends. Methods: The domestic issues about different hazard classification criteria and results were investigated by reviewing the literature and business outcomes regarding KOSHA. We also checked official and unofficial reports from the UN to understand international discussion about the topic. Chemical hazard classification results from agencies providing chemical information were analyzed to compare a harmonized rate between classifications. Furthermore, a field survey of a few chemical companies was conducted. Results: Under the related competent authorities, an integrated standard proposal was developed to harmonize the domestic hazard classification criteria. Although harmonized chemical information is strongly needed, we recognized the uncertainty and difficulty of harmonized hazard classification from the UN global list project review. In practice the harmonization rate of the classification was generally low between the classification in KOSHA, MoE, and EU CLP. Among hazard classes, health hazards largely led the disharmony. The field survey revealed a change of perception that the main body of chemical information production is manufacturers. Approaches and solutions about hazard classification issues differed depending on business size, types of chemical handling, and other factors. Conclusions: We proposed reasonable ways by time and step to apply hazard classification in the new MSDS system. Chemical manufacturers should make and offer chemical information including responsible hazard classifications. The government should primarily accept these classifications, evaluate them by priority, and support or supervise workplaces in order to communicate reliable chemical information.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2020

Background: The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was developed to enhance chemical classification and hazard communication systems worldwide. However, some of the elements such as building blocks and data sources have the potential to cause "disharmony" to the GHS, particularly in its classification results. It is known that some countries have developed their own lists of classified chemicals in accordance with the GHS to "standardize" the classification results within their respective countries. However, the lists of classified chemicals may not be consistent among these countries. Method: In this study, the lists of classified chemicals developed by the European Union, Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand were selected for comparison of classification results for carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Results: The findings show that only 54%, 66%, and 37% of the classification results for each Carcinogen, Mutagen and Reproductive toxicants hazard classes, respectively are the same among the selected countries. This indicates a "moderate" level of consistency among the classified chemicals lists. Conclusion: By using classification results for the carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity hazard classes, this study demonstrates the "disharmony" in the classification results among the selected countries. We believe that the findings of this study deserve the attention of the relevant international bodies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.125-155
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• 1999

The objectives of this study were (1) an investigation of the current status of the hazardous substances, (2) a comparative analysis of classification system of hazardous substances between Korea and other countries, (3) a development of the new classification system in Korea, finally a review of prerequisites for effective enforcement of the new system. The results are summarized as follows : 1) The backbone of classification system of hazardous substances in Korea is based on Japanese classification system and EC(European Committee) guideline of hazardous substance. There are many problems in managing and handling of hazardous substances due to discordant of Japanese and EC system. It is desirable to revise the classification system to be harmonized with international guideline for example, guideline of IFCS(The Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety) and EC guideline. 2) There are several problems in definitions of corrosive, sensitizing and irritation in MSDS Code of Ministry of Labour. It is desirable to reform those definitions. 3) Among the hazardous substances under the current system, there are several substances such as, beta-propiolactone, methyl bromide, ethyleneimine, etc that are not used and produced in Korea. It is desirable to exclude the substances from the list of controlled substances. 4) The section 39, about 'substance that designated to attach warning label' in Korea Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHAct) should be eliminated, because above section is unnecessary under the MSDS system. 5) The researchers recommend to establish a new list of hazardous substance which are controlled by OSHAct. It is desirable that the new list is consist of two types. The first type is 'a list of the specially controlled substances' and the other is 'the generally controlled substances'. 6) It is recommended that the specially controlled substances should include hazardous substances that are highly toxic and widely used in Korea. And the generally controlled substances should include hazardous substances that can be analysed by instrument and carry threshold. limit values(TLV's).

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.124-136
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• 2008

The systematic information management of chemical accidents has been required as a tool for the policy making, system improvement and release of information concerning accident prevention. However, there is not yet a systematic chemical accidents tracking system in Korea, which make confusion among the related government agencies and the parties to accidents that the related statistics are different from each others. In this study, We developed the Chemical Accident Tracking System (CATS) using chemical accident classification which was made up of 12 upper classes, 70 middle classes, 272 lower classes. The CATS is mainly consist list up module, reporting module, searching and statistic module, etc. The CATS is expected to be applied to the information tracking and database system for chemical accidents and improve its manageability.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.122-127
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• 2010

Constructing the national inventory that can be used as a tool to identify and assess existing or potential contamination is necessary for efficiently managing the soil and groundwater contamination. In order to start this construction, the first step is how we define and classify potential contamination sources of soil and groundwater. After selecting the basic classification model of contamination sources from developed countries, we suggested the classification and list of the potential contamination sources of soil and groundwater which are appropriate for specific conditions of South Korea. In addition, we investigated several databases to confirm the existence of available data sources and then examined established attribute data through chemical accident response information system (CARIS) and water information system (WIS) in National Institute of Environmental Research and mine geographic information system (MGIS) in Mine Reclamation Corporation. All sorts of attribute data in the existing databases can be utilized as significant assessment factors for determining the management priority of potential contamination sources in the future. Therefore, it is required the expanded investigation of additional database sources and the continual modification so that the classification system of potential contamination sources can be improved.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.107-119
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to compare the carcinogen classification systems of developed countries or global organizations with domestic system under Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). We selected the representative institutions which had carcinogen classification system such as International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicological Program (NTP), Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and European Union (EU). We collected the carcinogen lists issued by 5 institutions, and merged by CAS number of each chemical with Microsoft Access 7.0. We found that confirmed human carcinogens, probable human carcinogens and possible human carcinogens were 34, 179, and 252, respectively. All of the institutions classified chemicals as 2 (NTP), 3 (EU) or 5 (IARC, ACGIH, US-EPA) categories based on the weight of scientific evidences for carcinogenicity and periodically updated the carcinogen list by regular procedure. However, a total of 90 chemicals could be classified as carcinogen under ISHA in Korea. There was no procedure or system which periodically update the carcinogen lists. In addition, the status of carcinogen classification according to regulation was confused. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the carcinogen classification and management system should be amended by consideration of systems of advanced institutions and the domestic regulation system.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.134-155
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• 2016

Perfluorinated chemicals are highly diverse and widely used. More than 160 substances are pre-registered under REACH and approximately 140 substances are in the existing chemicals list of Korea from this chemical group. Chemical structures of PFCs that are globally prohibited and still in uses are identified with OECD's classification of PFCs with an overall review on their uses in consumer products including textile products. Case examples for current domestic situation on use of PFCs as a major component of water-repelling agents in textile products as well as a brief summary of eight major PFC manufacturers' situation are presented from our survey study along the supply chains and the most recent report of EPA stewardship programme, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.7 no.1 s.18
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• pp.1-9
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• 2003

A Multi-distinction Equipment Screening Algorithm (MESA) is proposed. It selectively integrates Dow's F&EI as its process hazard index technique and ESA (Equipment Screening Algorithm) as qualitative hazard classification technique, and retrieves a detailed list of hazardous equipments with the total hazard indices of those equipments. The inherent expert system, which includes the accident scenarios of the equipments and processes and experts' views of them, narrows further down the list of hazardous equipments and recommends only the most notable candidates. Through the case study of distinguishing the hazardous ranking of the equipments of the LPG underground storage process, using the expert system or not, the applicability of MESA has been validated. Taking the characteristics of the process equipments with hazardous ranking in the point of process intrinsic safety, this proposed algorithm would contribute to providing engineers or managers with information on constructing safely devices and mitigation devices and on scheduling emergency response planning.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2015

Objectives: The major objectives of this study are to review the EU CLP Regulations to propose ways of improving the reliability of MSDS and labels. Methods: To review the EU CLP Regulations, we used EU documents including directives and regulations on chemical management. In addition, we used EU governmental agency reports to illuminate the history and background of the CLP. We found the EU CLP's instruments for reliable hazard communication and evaluated the operations of the instruments. Results: EU CLP Regulations have four instruments for the EU CLP Regulations to make hazard communication reliable. These instruments are GHS, the harmonized CMR and respiratory sensitive substances classification list, C&L inventory and restriction of trade secrets. These are highly useful for achieving the objectives of REACH and CLP(no data-no market and changing the burden of proof). Conclusions: Changing the burden of proof is a key principle for achieving a society safe from hazardous chemicals. Chemical manufacturers and importers alone should bear the responsibility for reliable MSDS. We recommend benchmarking the EU CLP Regulations in order to change efficiently the burden of proof. Trade secrets should be limited to low-hazard substances and be approved by the government before the chemical product is on the market. Like the C&L inventory, chemical product information including substances identification and hazard properties should be notified, aggregated and be opened to public on the Internet. Finally, we recommend a MSDS registration system once again.