Get XtremeSorb spill materials here!

MSDS Topics	Free Sites	FAQ's	Regulations	Glossary	Software	Suppliers
	Books	Forum	Poll	Fun stuff	Quiz	Store
MSDS and safety supplies				Search ALL our MSDS info

CPL 02-02-079, Appendix C

Evaluation of Carcinogenicity

1. A chemical must be classified as a carcinogen if the chemical is regulated as a carcinogen by 29 CFR part 1910, Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances.

2. When classifying carcinogens, chemical manufacturers and importers must do one of the following:
   1. Conduct their own weight-of-evidence hazard evaluation, or

   2. Use the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) or the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as sources to establish whether a chemical is a carcinogen.

Weight-of-evidence evaluation

Get your SDS binders, centers and more from Safety Emporium.

Hazard categories for carcinogenicity include:

1. Category 1: Known or presumed human carcinogens.
   1. Category 1A: Known to have carcinogenic potential for humans.

   2. Category 1B: Presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans.

2. Category 2: Suspected human carcinogens.

Use of IARC or NTP

Table C.1 - Approximate Equivalents Among Carcinogen Classification Schemes (Adapted from Appendix F to 1910.1200)

* A classifier not relying on Table C.1 when performing their hazard classification may find that some IARC 2B agents, based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals but inadequate evidence in humans, essentially correspond to HCS 1B.

Note 2 (includes all the points outlined below):

NTPs Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogens aligns with both HCS Category 1B and Category 2, and IARC Group 2A and Group 2B. To help determine where these classifications correspond, the following guidance is provided.

Your employees can stay informed and safety-ready with right to know stations and labels from Safety Emporium.

1. If there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans, an NTP Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen would correspond to IARC 2A/HCS 1B.
2. If there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals, an NTP Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen would correspond to IARC 2A/ HCS 1B.
3. In cases where there is less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans or laboratory animals, follow the guidance outlined below:
   1. If the agent, substance, or mixture belongs to a well-defined, structurally-related class of substances whose members are listed in a previous RoC as either "Known" "Reasonably Anticipated" to be a human carcinogen, it would align at minimum with HCS Category 2, or

   2. If there is convincing relevant information that the agent acts through mechanisms indicating it would likely cause cancer in humans, it would align at minimum with HCS Category 2.

Other requirements for classification of carcinogens

1. One Positive Study

   If the weight of evidence for the carcinogenicity of a substance does not meet the criteria in Appendix A, chapter A.6 of the standard, any positive study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that reports statistically significant findings regarding the carcinogenic potential of the substance must be noted on the safety data sheet.

2. Category 2 Carcinogens

   If a Category 2 carcinogen ingredient is present in a mixture at a concentration between 0.1% and 1%, that information is required on the SDS. If a Category 2 carcinogen ingredient is present in a mixture at a concentration of ≥ 1%, the information must be included on both the SDS and the label.

3. IARC and NTP Evaluations

   Whether the chemical manufacturer or importer chooses to use IARC or NTP for classification of carcinogens or conduct their own evaluation, the classification results of IARC and NTP must be listed on the SDS in Section 11.

NTP

IARC

IARC Monographs contain evaluations on specific chemicals or processes. At the conclusion of each evaluation, IARC provides a summary evaluation. Periodically, IARC publishes supplements in which chemicals that have already been evaluated in previous monographs are reevaluated. In cases where a chemical has been reevaluated, the most recent IARC evaluation shall be relied upon.

IARC provides a summary in Supplement 7 of the chemicals which have been evaluated in Volumes 1-42. Table I of Supplement 7 provides a summary evaluation of all chemicals for which human and animal data were considered and a summary classification of a chemical's carcinogenic risk:

All IARC listed chemicals in Groups 1, 2A, and 2B must be noted on the SDS.

Individual monographs have been published subsequent to Supplement 7. For purposes of compliance with the SDS requirements, the IARC monograph's summary evaluation for the chemical can generally be relied upon. However, in some cases it may be necessary to review the evaluations as a group of compounds may be listed in the summary as carcinogenic. Upon closer examination of the appropriate monograph it may be revealed that IARC had data to support the carcinogenicity of only certain compounds. The compounds where IARC has the data are the only ones covered by the HCS.

IARC also evaluates specific industrial processes or occupations for evidence of increased carcinogenicity. Findings that an occupation is at increased risk of carcinogenicity, without identification of specific causative agents, do not affect SDS requirements.

What CSHOs should look for when evaluating the SDS

Get your pure water valves and faucets from Safety Emporium.

1. When a chemical has been determined to be a carcinogen by NTP or IARC:
   If a chemical appears in the NTP's Report on Carcinogens or is classified by IARC in Group 1, 2A, or 2B, then that information must be presented in Section 11 of the SDS. If the notation does not appear on the SDS, then a citation may be issued where appropriate.¹

2. If the designation of a carcinogen by NTP or IARC appears on the SDS but the chemical is not classified as a carcinogen by the manufacturer or importer:

   If the neither the label nor Section 2 of the SDS indicate the chemical is a carcinogen, but Section 11 of the SDS notes positive findings of carcinogenicity by NTP or IARC, it indicates the hazard evaluation performed by the manufacturer or importer conflicts with the evaluation of NTP and/or IARC.

   In these cases, the CSHO [Compliance Safety and Health Officer] should request that manufacturer or importer provide any data and justification it has for the classification.

   The Area Director (AD) shall refer the this information to the Regional Hazard Communication Coordinator who shall refer it to OSHA's Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management (DTSEM), Health Response Team (HRT). HRT scientists will conduct a review of the carcinogen evaluation for conformance with 29 CFR 1910.1200(d) and Appendix A, chapter A.6. A bulk sample of the chemical may be needed by the SLTC (HRT) to assist in their review.

   If HRT scientists find that the manufacturer has followed appropriate classification procedures as discussed in Appendix B of this Instruction, then no further action will be taken. If there are deficiencies in the classification procedures (e.g., relevant data not adequately addressed, weight of evidence not performed in accordance with Appendix A.0 and A.6 of the HCS standard, criteria not applied appropriately), a citation may be issued. Table C-2 provides a general guide regarding the labeling and SDS requirements under the HCS.

Table C-2: Guidance for Label and SDS Notations for Carcinogens

Note: If the weight of evidence supports non-classification.

IARC information can be found at http://www.iarc.fr.

NTP information can be found at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/roc/roc13/index.html, or most recent report.

Carcinogen of lubricating oils

Get your GHS-compliant labels, posters and signs from Safety Emporium.

IARC also stated that there is inadequate evidence to conclude that severely hydrotreated oils are carcinogenic, and that there is no evidence to indicate that severely solvent-refined oils are carcinogenic. In the absence of any valid, positive evidence from sources other than IARC regarding the carcinogenicity of severely hydrotreated or severely solvent-refined oils, no reference to carcinogenicity need be included on the MSDS and label for such materials. IARC has also concluded that when an oil is refined using sequential processing of mild hydrotreatment and mild solvent refining, there is no evidence of carcinogenicity.

The questions posed to OSHA concerned the process parameters used for mild hydrotreatment. OSHA examined the studies upon which IARC based its positive findings and concluded that any oil will be considered to be mildly hydrotreated if the hydrotreatment process was conducted using pressure of 800 pounds per square inch or less, and temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit or less, independent of other process parameters. If the oil is produced within these parameters, it must be considered to be potentially carcinogenic under the requirements of the HCS.

¹ Chemical manufacturers and importers have three months to update the SDS after becoming newly aware of information on a hazard. If a chemical has been listed by IARC or NTP within the past three months, then a citation is not appropriate.