UNITED

NATIONS	ST

Secretariat	Distr.

GENERAL

ST/SG/AC.10/1998/11

17 September 1998

Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE

TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

(Twentieth session,

Geneva, 7-16 December l998,

agenda item 2 (c))

WORK OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS

ON THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

Draft amendments to the Recommendations

on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

Reclassification of UN 2531, Methacrylic acid, inhibited

Transmitted by the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)

CEFIC recently became aware of a skin irritation/corrosion study on methacrylic acid that has been completed in the United States of America. This study provides new data to justify the transfer of methacrylic acid from Class 8 PG III to Class 8 PG II. This proposal was introduced and discussed at the last Sub-Committee meeting in July 1998 (ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/1998/13, ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/30, para. 94). More informations were required on specific aspects of the problem. These additional elements are developed hereafter.

Following application of undiluted methacrylic acid to intact rabbit skin for a period of 3 minutes there appeared to be sufficient chemical absorbed into the skin to cause tissue damage in depth. Whilst this tissue necrosis was not immediately apparent, or indeed observed at the early observation times, full depth tissue necrosis (Eschar) was observed at the site of contact at the 24 hour observation time. This necrosis in depth was judged as being irreversible and would have resulted in permanent scar formation.

According to the UN criteria full thickness destruction of intact skin resulting from a 3 minutes contact but not observed until 24 hour after application warrants classification as Class 8 packing group II.

GE.98-

Proposal

The following amendment is proposed:

-	In the Dangerous Goods List, amend the entry for methacrylic acid as follows:

Packing

instruction

Special

provi-

sions

Portable

tank

instruction

Portable tank

special

provisions
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)	(11)
2531	Methacrylic acid, inhibited	8

II	1 L	T4	TP1

TP18

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