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Toxicological information

Eye irritation

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
eye irritation: in vivo
Type of information:
migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1994-11-29
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: see 'Remark'
Remarks:
Guideline study reliable with restrictions - The stability was not stated. -According to the guideline, any effects other than ocular which were observed should be stated. It was not mentioned in this study if other than ocular effects were observed. According to Annexes VII and VIII, point 8.2.1 of Regulation No 1907/2006 information on eye irritation (in vitro or in vivo) of substances shall be provided. Column 2 of Annex VII states that in vitro tests for eye irritation need not be conducted if the criteria for classification as irritating to the eyes are met. In addition, Annex XI specifies rules for adaptation of the standard testing requirements. Point 1.5 of Annex XI permits read-across from substances showing similarities based on, amongst others, common functional groups. This read-across concept is applicable to calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide. When administered to the eye for testing irritating properties (according to the test guideline EC B.5), calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide dissociates into calcium-, magnesium and hydroxyl ions in aqueous solutions (here in lachrymal fluid). Tests on skin and eye irritation are available for calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide. According to the test results, these two substances fulfil the criteria for classification as “risk of serious damage to eyes” and “irritating to skin”. Both calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide dissociate into Ca2+ and OH– ions. The irritating/damaging effect is due to a pH shift caused by the released hydroxyl ions. Magnesium and calcium ions are not associated with skin or eye irritation; therefore the pH-shift is the primary effect of calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide involved in eye irritation. In view of the fact that both calcium hydroxide/oxide and calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide result in the same “breakdown products” when administered in the appropriate test system, they can be considered as structurally equivalent, fulfilling criteria (1) and (2) of Annex XI, point 1.5. In addition, the pH of a saturated solution of calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide has been determined at 11.7 (see section 4.8 of the technical dossier, O'Connor and Woolley, 2010), whereas CaO and Ca(OH)2 create pH values of 12.3 and 12.4 (Fox, 2010a and Fox, 2010b). Therefore, local effects due to calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide will be less severe than those arising from CaO or Ca(OH)2. The read-across approach hence constitutes a worst case. Based on the above considerations, calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide is voluntarily proposed to be classified as R38 (irritating to skin) and R41 (risk of serious damage to eye) by read-across, which is therefore a conservative approach. In conclusion, since at least one of the criteria for adaptation of testing requirements specified by column 2 of Annexes VII and VIII, point 8.2 is fulfilled (risk of serious damage to eyes, by read-across), any further testing is considered to be scientifically unjustified.

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
study report
Title:
Unnamed
Year:
1995
Report date:
1995

Materials and methods

Test guideline
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion)
Version / remarks:
, adopted 1987-02-24
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes

Test material

Constituent 1
Reference substance name:
Calcium oxide
EC Number:
215-138-9
EC Name:
Calcium oxide
Cas Number:
1305-78-8
IUPAC Name:
oxocalcium
Details on test material:
- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Calcium oxide (from Laboratoire Central Balthazar et Cotte)
- Physical state: White powder
- Analytical purity: 95.55 %
- Batch No.: 3314
- Storage condition of test material: At ambient temperature
- pH: The pH of the product, at 10 % concentration in distilled water, measured at the International Toxicology centre, was 9.
No further information on the test material was stated.

Test animals / tissue source

Species:
rabbit
Strain:
New Zealand White
Details on test animals or tissues and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Elevage Cunicole de Val de Selle, 80160 Prouzel, France
- Weight at study initiation: 2782 g
- Housing: The animal was housed in polystyrene cage (35 X 55 X 32 cm or 48.2 X 58 X 36.5 cm) equipped with a trough and bottle.
- Diet (ad libitum): Food in form of granules "Rabbit maintenance, Reference 112 C" (UAR, 91360 Villemoisson-sur-Orge, France).
- Water (ad libitum): Drinking water, filtered through an F.G.Millipore membrane (0.22 micron) is distributed in bottles.
- Acclimation period: 5 days before the sart of the study

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature: 18 +/- 3 °C
- Humidity: 30 to 70 %
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12
No further information on the test animal was stated.

Test system

Vehicle:
unchanged (no vehicle)
Controls:
no
Amount / concentration applied:
TEST MATERIAL
- Amount(s) applied (volume or weight with unit): The lower eyelid was delicately opened, and a single dose of 100 mg of calcium oxide was introduced in the conjunctival cul-de-sac of the left eye. The lower and upper lids were maintained in contact for a second to prevent any loss of product.The right eye was administered no product and served as control.
No further information on amount/concentration applied was stated.

Observation period (in vivo):
The eyes were examined 1 hour after the administration of the product.
Number of animals or in vitro replicates:
One male rabbit
Details on study design:
REMOVAL OF TEST SUBSTANCE
The eyes were not rinsed after the administration of the product.

SCORING SYSTEM: Draize scoring system
All other damage observed is recorded.

TOOL USED TO ASSESS SCORE: If it was necessary the cornea was examined with an ultra-violet lamp. In the case of doubt as to the presence of corneal opacity, the eye is subjected to UV examination (the areas of corneal impairment are distinguished by a very clear fluorescence).
No further information on study design was stated.

Results and discussion

In vivo

Resultsopen allclose all
Irritation parameter:
cornea opacity score
Basis:
animal #1
Time point:
other: 1 hour after administration
Score:
4
Max. score:
4
Remarks on result:
other: Given the seriousness of the eye lesions observed, the animal was put down for humanitarian reasons.
Irritation parameter:
chemosis score
Basis:
animal #1
Time point:
other: one hour after administration
Score:
2
Max. score:
2
Remarks on result:
other: Given the seriousness of the eye lesions observed, the animal was put down for humanitarian reasons.
Irritant / corrosive response data:
One hour after administration, very severe eye reactions were observed with a slight chemosis, a necrotised appearance of the conjunctiva, and total opacity of the cornea, showing a nacreous appearance. The iris was no longer visible. A purulent whitish substance was observed.
Given the seriousness of the eye lesions observed, the animal was put down for humane reasons, and the product was not tested on two other rabbits.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:
irritating
Remarks:
Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: EU
Conclusions:
Under the given experimental conditions the product calcium oxide is considered as an irritant to the eye in rabbits.
According to the Directive 67/548/EEC and subsequent regulations, the classification of the product, calcium oxide, should be "risk of serious damage to eyes".
According to the EC Regulation No. 1272/2008 and subsequent regulations, the test item is classified as Category 1.
Based on the read across argument, calcium magnesium (di)hydroxide oxide is voluntarily proposed to be classified as calcium oxide.