- Review Article
- Published:
International comparison of criteria for evaluating sensitization of PRTR-designated chemical substances
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine volume 12, pages 56–65 (2007)
Abstract
In this study, we aim to compare the criteria for sensitizers among national organizations in various countries and international organizations, and to specify whether each Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)-designated chemical substance is a sensitizer by each organization. The definition of sensitizing chemicals and the designation of respective sensitizers according to the PRTR law, Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), European Union (EU), and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinshaft (DFG) were studied. Of the 435 PRTR-designated chemical substances, 15 are listed as sensitizers according to the PRTR law, 16 as sensitizers of the airway and 21 as sensitizers of the skin by JSOH, 12 as sensitizers (no discrimination) by ACGIH, 19 (airway) and 85 (skin) by EU, and 15 (airway) and 43 (skin) by DFG. Only 9 substances were designated as sensitizers by all these organizations. The variation in the designation of sensitizers is accounted for by the differences in the classification criteria and grouping of chemical substances. JSOH limits the definition of sensitizers to substances that induce allergic reactions in humans and uses only human data. Other organizations utilize not only human evidence but also appropriate animal tests. In addition, EU designates an isocyanate as a sensitizer except those for which there is evidence showing that they do not cause respiratory sensitivity. The worldwide enforcement of the globally harmonized system (GHS) of classification and labeling of chemicals could promote not only the consistent designation of sensitizers among national and international organizations, but also the development of testing guidelines and classification criteria for mixtures.
References
Warner JO, Kaliner MA, Crisci CD, Giacco SD, Frew AJ, Liu GH, et al. Allergy practice worldwide: A report by the world allergy organization specialty and training council. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2006; 139: 166–174.
Wiernga MH, Vermeire PA, Brunekreef B, Weyler JJ. Increased occurrence of asthma and allergy: critical appraisal of studies using allergic sensitization, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and lung function measurements. Clin Exp Allergy. 2001; 31:1553–1563.
Davies RJ, Rusznak C, Devalia JL. Why is allergy increasing? —environmental factors. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998;28 (Suppl 6):8–14.
Kanagawa Environmental Research Center: http://www.kerc. pref.kanagawa.jp/prtr/chemicals/listl.htm, http://www.kerc.pref. kanagawa.jp/prtr/chemicals/list2.htm (2006)
The Japan Society for Occupational Health. Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits (2005–2006). J Occup Health. 2005;47:354–370.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. TLVs and BEIs Based on the Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents & Biological Exposure Indices (2005).
European Union. EU, Council Directive 67/548/EEC Annex I, The Sensitization (the 7th edition), http://europa.eu.int/ comm/environment/dansub/home_en.htm (2002)
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinshaft. List of MAK and BAT Values 2004, Commission for the investigation of health hazards of chemical compounds in the work area, Report No. 40. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA: 2004.
Central Environmental Council, Ministry of the Environment, Japan. Sensitivity. In: About Designation of Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances and Class II Designated Chemical Substances on the Base of the Law Concerning Reporting, etc. of Release to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substances and Promoting Improvements in Their Management (Report). http://www.env.go.jp/press/file_view. php3?serial=1210&hou_id=1705 (PDF), 2005, p. 16–17. (Article in Japanese)
Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Japan. Chemical substances hazard sheet. http://www.cerij.or.jp/ ceri_jp/koukai/sheet/sheet_indx4.htm (Article in Japanese)
The Japan Society for Occupational Health. Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits (2005). Jpn J Ind Health. (Formerly Sangyo Igaku). 2005;47:150–177. (Article in Japanese)
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. The globally harmonbized system of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS). Historical background. http://www.unece. org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/GHS_presentations/English/Rev01/ ghs_intro_e.pdf
United Nations. Chapter 3.4 Respiratory or Skin sensitization. In: Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). New York and Geneva; 2005. p. 151–154. (Sales No. E.05.II.E. 13; ISBN 92-1-116927-5)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murakami, T., Oyama, T., Isse, T. et al. International comparison of criteria for evaluating sensitization of PRTR-designated chemical substances. Environ Health Prev Med 12, 56–65 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898150
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898150