Pharma chemicals in new ECHA toxicity assessment list
Ethylene oxide is recommended for classification as potentially causing allergic skin reactions
Pharmaceutical industry chemicals are among the 56 new substances that will be assessed for their potential toxicity to humans and the environment under a draft European Union (EU) Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for 2014-2016. The programme is coordinated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Relevant chemicals include iso(C10-C14)alkyl (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) methylthioacetate, or acetic acid, which can be used to treat ear infections; disodium disulphite, used in medicines treating a variety of ailments; Quaternary ammonium compounds, di-C16-18-alkyldimethyl, chlorides – a bactericide; and others.
Meanwhile, ECHA has released the initial results of its first tranche of CoRAP assessments, with one pharma chemical – ethylene oxide – being recommended for classification as potentially causing allergic skin reactions.
'[EU] level agreement is needed on an acceptable risk level for workers and the general population with regard to the carcinogenic potential of substances, including ethylene oxide,' said the ECHA.