Silicon carbide

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin sensitisation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed (not sensitising)

Additional information:

Workers in six silicon carbide production plants, having handled silicon carbide for a sustained period of more than 15 years, have been followed. No cases of allergic cutaneous reactions (e.g. allergic contact dermatitis, urticarial reactions) have been observed in this period.

It can therefore be concluded that SiC has no sensitization potential to the human skin.

Workers in five silicon carbide production plants, employed for more than 15 years, have been followed. No cases of allergic respiratory reactions (e.g. asthma, rhinitis, alveolitis) have been observed in this period, except one case of respiratory awareness, which was due to earlier exposure to cement and not to silicon carbide.

There are active systems in place to pick up health complaints and adverse reactions among regular SiC employees. No observations concerning respiratory or skin sensitisation were made. These experiences with the handling and use of silicon carbide have been confirmed by the company medical officers of the different production plants and makes testing on sensitisation unnecessary.

It can therefore be concluded that SiC has no sensitization potential to the respiratory system.

Migrated from Short description of key information:

No sensitisation effects regarding the handling and use of silicon carbide in five production plants have been observed, which suggests that silicon carbide is no skin or respiratory sensitizer.

Respiratory sensitisation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed (not sensitising)

Additional information:

Migrated from Short description of key information:

The generally unreactive nature of SiC nonfibrous dust suggests that it would not be a respiratory sensitizer.