Hazard Classification of Household Chemical Products in Korea according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and labeling of Chemicals.
- Author:
Kyung Hee KIM
1
;
Dae Jong SONG
;
Myeong Hyun YU
;
Yuon Shin PARK
;
Hye Ran NOH
;
Hae Joon KIM
;
Jae Wook CHOI
Author Information
1. Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. shine@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
GHS;
Consumer products;
Household chemical products;
Hazard communication
- MeSH:
Classification*;
Disinfectants;
Family Characteristics*;
Germ Cells;
Hazardous Substances;
Korea*;
Social Control, Formal
- From:Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2013;25(1):11-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to review the validity of the need for the application of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) to household chemical products in Korea. The study also aimed to assess the severity of health and environmental hazards of household chemical products using the GHS. METHODS: 135 products were classified as 'cleaning agents and polishing agents' and 98 products were classified as 'bleaches, disinfectants, and germicides.' The current status of carcinogenic classification of GHS and carcinogenicity was examined for 272 chemical substances contained in household chemical products by selecting the top 11 products for each of the product categories. In addition, the degree of toxicity was assessed through analysis of whether the standard of the Republic of Korea's regulations on household chemical products had been exceeded or not. RESULTS: According to GHS health and environmental hazards, "acute toxicity (oral)" was found to be the highest for two product groups, 'cleaning agents and polishing agents', and 'bleaches, disinfectants, and germicides' (result of classification of 233 household chemical products) at 37.8% and 52.0% respectively. In an analysis of carcinogenicity assuming a threshold of IARC 2B for the substances in household chemical products, we found 'cleaning agents and polishing agents' to contain 12 chemical substances and 'bleaches, disinfectants, and germicides' 11 chemical substances. CONCLUSION: Some of the household chemical products were found to have a high hazard level including acute toxicity and germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Establishing a hazard information delivery system including the application of GHS to household chemical products in Korea is urgent as well.
