Registration Dossier

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Hazard for aquatic organisms

Freshwater

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no data: aquatic toxicity unlikely

Marine water

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no data: aquatic toxicity unlikely

STP

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no data: aquatic toxicity unlikely

Sediment (freshwater)

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no exposure of sediment expected

Sediment (marine water)

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no exposure of sediment expected

Hazard for air

Air

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no hazard identified

Hazard for terrestrial organisms

Soil

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no exposure of soil expected

Hazard for predators

Secondary poisoning

Hazard assessment conclusion:
no potential for bioaccumulation

Additional information

Testing of the ecotoxicological endpoints are not considered applicable for elemental calcium (Ca)



  1. In accordance with Annex XI.2 aquatic testing of elemental Ca is not technically feasible based on the existing data on Ca reactivity in water.

  2. In accordance with column 2 adaptations statements and Annex XI.3 testing is not necessary as exposure of aquatic, sediment and soil compartment to elemental Ca is considered unlikely.


 



  1. Ca is an alkaline earth metal. When exposed to air it rapidly forms Ca oxide and nitride. Ca metal reacts with water, evolving hydrogen gas. In powdered form the reaction with water is extremely rapid. In the Ca-water reaction calcium dihydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is formed. In accordance with the Ca reactivity it is classified as hazardous substance being highly flammable and water reactive substance which violently reacts with water forming flammable gas. Therefore,testing of elemental Ca for ecotoxicological endpoints is not considered technically feasible.

  2. Although testing of elemental Ca is not technically possible, exposure and properties of relevant Ca compounds are considered in order to cover the whole life-cycle of the substance. Also, because Ca is not naturally found in its elemental state, the decision which environmental endpoints are relevant is based on the exposure and the bioavailability considerations of Ca in its whole life-cycle taking into account possible Ca compounds that are formed. In summary, the approach in the chemical safety assessment of elemental Ca is to consider data on ecotoxicological and environmental fate properties from relevant Ca compounds, if necessary.


Elemental Ca is used in iron, steel and alloy manufacturing processes mostly in massive forms such as lumps, turnings, and strips, or granules of 2-7 mm. The exposure considerations are based on the general knowledge of the processes. Calcium’s role in the steel and alloy manufacturing processes is to scavenge the molten metal for oxygen; effectively serving as an antioxidant. The life cycle of Ca metal in these processes ends with reaction on use; therefore there is no exposure to Ca (metal form) after it is introduced into the furnace. Ca metal will immediately react under the extreme heat conditions of these processes to form calcium oxide (CaO) which may be emitted as a component of the fume or dust from the furnace, or become part of the slag.


Also, no Ca-water reactions to form Ca(OH)2 happen in these processes. In the above applications the exposure of elemental Ca to aquatic, soil and sediment compartments is unlikely.The slag formed in the use process of Ca may be applied to soil, but adverse environmental effects are not expected. See supporting information in CSR Chapter 9.

Conclusion on classification

Conclusive but not sufficient for classification.