MeClas: An online tool for hazard identification and classification of complex inorganic metal-containing materials.

MeClas is a web-based tool to generate (eco)toxicity hazard categories and corresponding classification & labelling information of inorganic metal-containing complex materials such as ores, concentrates, intermediates or alloys for which the manual application of the GHS/CLP rules is very complex and requires a high level of consistency. The tool comprises several tiers, aimed at the progressive refinement of classification through recognition of specific mineral content, speciation/mineralogy up to bio-availability corrections. Where relevant in a regional jurisdiction (EU and US), mandatory classification references are used complementary to high quality (eco)toxicity reference values (ERV/TRV) and self-classifications. MeClas addresses the GHS human health and environmental hazard endpoints, is based on an unambiguous algorithm defined under GHS/CLP, has a well defined domain of applicability and robust predictability. MeClas allows a consistent approach across companies in line with GHS ruling (and regional implementations), considering the metal specificities and related classification GHS/CLP Guidance, and the most up to date (eco)-toxicological hazard information on self-classifications and ERV/TRV.

Weight-of-Evidence Approach for Assessing Removal of Metals from the Water Column for Chronic Environmental Hazard Classification.

The United Nations and the European Union have developed guidelines for the assessment of long-term (chronic) chemical environmental hazards. This approach recognizes that these hazards are often related to spillage of chemicals into freshwater environments. The goal of the present study was to examine the concept of metal ion removal from the water column in the context of hazard assessment and classification. We propose a weight-of-evidence approach that assesses several aspects of metals including the intrinsic properties of metals, the rate at which metals bind to particles in the water column and settle, the transformation of metals to nonavailable and nontoxic forms, and the potential for remobilization of metals from sediment. We developed a test method to quantify metal removal in aqueous systems: the extended transformation/dissolution protocol (T/DP-E). The method is based on that of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The key element of the protocol extension is the addition of substrate particles (as found in nature), allowing the removal processes to occur. The present study focused on extending this test to support the assessment of metal removal from aqueous systems, equivalent to the concept of "degradability" for organic chemicals. Although the technical aspects of our proposed method are different from the OECD method for organics, its use for hazard classification is equivalent. Models were developed providing mechanistic insight into processes occurring during the T/DP-E method. Some metals, such as copper, rapidly decreased (within 96 h) under the 70% threshold criterion, whereas others, such as strontium, did not. A variety of method variables were evaluated and optimized to allow for a reproducible, realistic hazard classification method that mimics reasonable worst-case scenarios. We propose that this method be standardized for OECD hazard classification via round robin (ring) testing to ascertain its intra- and interlaboratory variability. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1839-1849. © 2019 SETAC.

Method Development for Determining the Removal of Metals from the Water Column under Transformation/Dissolution Conditions for Chronic Hazard Classification.

An extension of the transformation/dissolution protocol (T/DP) was developed and evaluated as a tool to measure the removal of metals from the water column for chronic aquatic hazard classification. The T/DP extension (T/DP-E) consists of 2 parts: T/DP-E part 1, to measure metal removal from the water column via binding of metals to a substrate and subsequent settling, and T/DP-E part 2, to assess the potential for remobilization of metals following resuspension. The T/DP-E methodology (672-h [28-d] removal period, 1-h resuspension event, and 96-h resettling period) was tested using Cu, Co, and Sr solutions in the presence of a substrate. The metal removal rates varied from rapid removal for Cu to slower rates of removal for Co and Sr. The resuspension event did not trigger any increase in dissolved Cu, Co, or Sr. Additional 96-h experiments were conducted using dissolved Ni, Pb, Zn, and Ag and supported the conclusion that the T/DP-E is sufficiently robust to distinguish removal rates between metals with a wide range of reactivities. The proposed method provides a means to quantify the rate of metal removal from the water column and evaluate remobilization potential in a standardized and reliable way. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2032-2042. © 2019 SETAC.

Advances in metals classification under the United Nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling.

This article shows how regulatory obligations mandated for metal substances can be met with a laboratory-based transformation/dissolution (T/D) method for deriving relevant hazard classification outcomes, which can then be linked to attendant environmental protection management decisions. We report the results of a ring-test at 3 laboratories conducted to determine the interlaboratory precision of the United Nations T/D Protocol (T/DP) in generating data for classifying 4 metal-bearing substances for acute and chronic toxicity under the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) criteria with respect to the aquatic environment. The test substances were Ni metal powder, cuprous oxide (Cu(2) O) powder, tricobalt tetroxide (Co(3) O(4) ) powder, and cuttings of a NILO K Ni-Co-Fe alloy. Following GHS Annex 10 guidelines, we tested 3 loadings (1, 10, and 100 mg/L) of each substance at pH 6 and 8 for 7 or 28 d to yield T/D data for acute and chronic classification, respectively. We compared the T/DP results (dissolved metal in aqueous media) against acute and chronic ecotoxicity reference values (ERVs) for each substance to assess GHS classification outcomes. For dissolved metal ions, the respective acute and chronic ERVs established at the time of the T/D testing were: 29 and 8 µg/L for Cu; 185 and 1.5 µg/L for Co; and 13.3 and 1.0 mg/L for Fe. The acute ERVs for Ni were pH-dependent: 120 and 68 µg/L at pH 6 and 8, respectively, whereas the chronic ERV for Ni was 2.4 µg/L. The acute classification outcomes were consistent among 3 laboratories: cuprous oxide, Acute 1; Ni metal powder, Acute 3; Co(3) O(4) and the NILO K alloy, no classification. We obtained similar consistent results in chronic classifications: Cu(2) O, Ni metal powder, and Co(3) O(4) , Chronic 4; and the NILO K alloy, no classification. However, we observed equivocal results only in 2 of a possible 48 cases where the coefficient of variation of final T/D concentrations masked clear comparisons with ERVs. Results support the validity and interlaboratory precision of the United Nations T/DP in establishing GHS classification outcomes for metals and metal compounds and support its use in regulatory hazard-based systems. Drawing on T/D data derived from laboratory testing of the metal-bearing substance itself, the T/D approach can be applied to establish scientifically defensible decisions on hazard classification proposals. The resulting decisions can then be incorporated into environmental management measures in such jurisdictions as the European Union.