European Chemicals Agency Committee Agrees to New Classifications for Three Chemicals

On January 28, 2010, the European Chemicals Agency's Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) adopted opinions on proposals for the classification and labeling of certain chemical substances as carcinogen, mutagen or toxic for reproduction. The RAC agreed that Indium phosphide (used as a semiconductor in the electronics industry) be classified as a carcinogen and toxic for reproduction; Di-tertbutyl peroxide (DTBP, used as an additive in polymerization reactions) be classified as a mutagen; and Trixylyl phosphate (used mainly as a fire-resistant hydraulic fluid) be classified as toxic for reproduction. ECHA will soon publish details of the RAC's adopted opinions.