GPS Safety Summary Reference No. : JIPS_MSP_CA-JP101_EN

GPS/JIPS Safety Summary
1. Product NAME
Graphite Electrodes

2. GENERAL STATEMENT
A graphite electrode is a component used as an electrode of electrical steel furnaces that
produce steel by fusing iron scraps. Electrical steel furnaces fuse iron scraps through arc
discharges by applying large electrical currents. The temperature of fused steel inside the furnace
is 1,600ºC, while the temperature at the tip of the electrode is as high as 3,000ºC. Currently,
graphite is the only industrial material that may be used under such severe temperatures. Thesubstance is thermally stable and maintains stability in the presence of acids and alkalis.

3. CHEMICAL IDENTITY
Item
Chemical or genericname
Trade name
Synonyms
CAS No.
Other No.
Chemical Formula
Source/References

Description
Graphite
Graphite Electrodes
Carbon7782-42-5
Japan: Chemical Substances Control Law, not applicable
Japan: Industrial Safety and Health Act, existing chemical substanceC
Section 3 of the SDS issued by Resonac Graphite Japan Corporation

4. USES AND APPLICATIONS
Main uses

The product is used as an electrode for electrical steel furnaces which
produce steel through fusing iron scraps.

5. PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
It is a black, odorless, water-insoluble solid. It hardly vaporizes at room temperature (20℃), but
may cause a dust explosion when mixed with air in powder or granular form.
Physical stateAppearance
Color
Odour
Melting point/freezingpoint
Decomposition
temperatureDensity
Solubility
Stability

SolidArticle
BlackOdourless
It does not liquefy under the ordinary pressure, sublimates.
3650 ℃ ( Sublimation temperature (approx.) )1.4 – 1.9 g/cm³
Water: not dissolve in water
Stable under normal conditions of use.
If the powder or granule is mixed with air, it may cause a dust explosion.
This material is strong reductant, and it reacts with oxidant.
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Sources/references

Section 9 and 10 of the SDS issued by Resonac Graphite Japan
Corporation

6. HEALTH EFFECTS
Effect assessment
Acute toxicity (oral)

Results （GHS Hazard Classification）
Classification not possible

Acute toxicity (dermal)

Classification not possible

Acute toxicity (inhalation: gas)

Not applicable

Acute toxicity (inhalation: vapours)

Classification not possible

Acute toxicity (inhalation: dust, mist)

Classification not possible

Skin corrosion/irritation

Classification not possible

Serious eye damage/eye irritation,

Classification not possible

Respiratory sensitisation

Classification not possible

Skin sensitisation

Classification not possible

Germ cell mutagenicity

Classification not possible

Carcinogenicity

Classification not possible

Reproductive toxicity

Classification not possible

Specific target organ toxicity — Single exposure
Specific target organ toxicity (repeatedexposure)
Aspiration hazard
Sources/references

Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Section 11 of SDS issued by Resonac Graphite
Japan Corporation• GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals): A system that classifies chemicals
according to the type and degree of hazards, labels the information, and provides safety data sheets according to
globally harmonized rules.
• Not applicable: Since the priority of physical state, chemical structure, chemical property, and hazard items used in
the GHS classification procedures does not fall under the category, it is not subject to the classification for thecategory.
• Not classified: Sufficient information has been obtained to implement the GHS classification, and as a result of theclassification, it does not fall under any of the hazard categories specified in the GHS. It is considered to be a lowerhazard.
• Classification not possible : There is not enough information for GHS classification, and classification is not possible.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Effect assessment
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, shortterm (acute)Hazardous to the aquatic environment, longterm (chronic)
Hazardous to the ozone layer

Results （GHS Hazard Classification）
Classification not possible

Sources/references

Section 12 of SDS issued by Resonac Graphite
Japan CorporationEnvironmental fate/dynamics
Mobility in soil
Persistence/degradability
Bioaccumulation potential
Conclusion about

Classification not possible
Classification not possible

No data available
No data available
No data available
The criteria for persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT;
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GPS Safety Summary Reference No. : JIPS_MSP_CA-JP101_EN

PBT/vPvB

Sources/references

remaining persistently in the environment and possessing highbioaccumulation potential and toxicity) and very persistent andvery bioaccumulative (vPvB; remaining very persistently in theenvironment and possessing very high bioaccumulation potential)
chemicals are believed to inapplicable.
Sections 12 of the SDS issued by Resonac Graphite JapanCorporation

8. EXPOSURE
Details
Occupational exposures

Consumer exposures

Environmental exposures

Precautions

Exposure potentials through main uses
When handling powders of the substance under normal
temperatures, workers could be exposed through oral ingestion,
contact with the skin, or inhalation if dust is generated during
mixing/blending, measuring, packing, unpacking and otherprocesses involving the substance. Harmful effects have beenrecognized mainly when the substance's high-density dust wasinhaled. This may cause coughing and shortness of breath.
Additionally, the substance could cause irritation in direct contact
with the respiratory tracts, eyes and skin. However, the harmful
effects resulting from oral intake of the substance are believed tobe minor.
The substance is not used by general consumers. There is thepotential that consumers could be exposed though dermal andinhalation exposure if dust is generated during handling powders.
Harmful effects have been recognized mainly when its highdensity dusts were inhaled, and this could cause coughing andshortness of breath. The substance could also irritate respiratory
tracts, as well as the eyes and skin upon direct contact. The
harmful effects resulting from oral ingestion are believed to beminor.
Although environmental exposure is possible in the following
cases, no specific effects on the environment have been reported,as mentioned in Section 7 Environmental Effects.
If there is a possibility of exposure in other uses, take appropriate
measures with reference to recommended risk management
measures.

9. RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended risk management measures can minimize risks to workers, consumers, and theenvironment from Section 8 exposure scenarios.
Details
WorkerRisk management recommendations
Technical measures:
Carry out exhaust ventilation in order to keep a concentration of
the substance in the air below the exposure limit value. Install
eyewash fountains and safety showers at manufacturing places
where the product is stored or handled.
Local and general ventilation:
For controlling and restricting environmental concentrations below
the following recommended values, install local exhaust or total
ventilation systems at places where the product is manufactured
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Consumer

Environment

Precautionsor handled.
Acceptable concentration:
Regarding the product, the Japan Society for Occupational Healthpublished (in 2012) the recommendation values as occupational
exposure limits of 0.5 mg/m3 for respirable dust (class 1 dusts)
and 2 mg/m3 for total dust (class 1 dusts), while the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
published (in 2012) the threshold limit value of 2 mg/m3 (timeweighted average; TLV-TWA). Implement management and control
measures to keep its dust concentration below these values.
Protective equipment:
While working, wear appropriate protective eyewears, dust-proof
masks, air-supplied respirators, clothes and protective gloves madeof materials impermeable to powders.
Precautions
The operation manager should educate operators about theselection of appropriate protective equipment, proper usage
method, and control method of the work site.
If dusts have been generated, take a precaution not to inhale its
dusts and not to directly contact with its dusts on the humanbody. If the exposure amount is large, implement risk management
measures similar to those indicated in “Occupational Exposures”
above.
In order to prevent environmental exposures, implement
preventive measures against leakage into rivers, water channels,
and sewerage trenches, and pay attention to the daily
management and handling of the substance.
For normal handling, emergency response, disposal, andtransportation control measures, refer to sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13,
and 14 of the SDS issued by Resonac Graphite Japan
Corporation.

10. STATE AGENCY REVIEW
Hazard assessmentInternational Chemical
Safety Cards

Situations of review
International Chemical Safety Card
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_card_id=0893&p_
edit=&p_version=2&p_lang=en

OECD HPVHigh production volume chemical testing programme
https://hpvchemicals.oecd.org/ui/search.aspx

NITE-CHRIP（NITE Chemical
Risk Information Platform）

https://www.nite.go.jp/en/chem/chrip/chrip_search/srhInput

11. REGULATORY INFORMATION／GHS CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING INFORMATION
Regulatory information only in Japan
Applicable laws
Regulatory situations
Industrial Safety andHealth Act

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GPS Safety Summary Reference No. : JIPS_MSP_CA-JP101_EN

Poisonous and Deleterious
Substances Control Act

Not applicable

Act on the Assessment ofReleases of Specified
Chemical Substances in theEnvironment and thePromotion of Management
Improvement and Transfer
Register / PRTR)

Not applicable

UN classification

Not applicable

Hazards
Physical hazards
Health hazards
Labelling Information
Hazard pictograms (GHS)
Signal word (GHS)
Hazard statements (GHS)Classification results (hazard information)
None
None
None
None
None

12. CONTACT INFORMATION
CompanyAddress
Departments
Tel. / Fax

Resonac Graphite Japan Corporation6850 Omachi, Omachi City, Nagano 398-0002 Japan
Quality Assurance Section, Technology Department, Omachi
Plant+81-261-22-5500／+81-261-22-6442

13. DATE OF ISSUE / REVISION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Date of issue: November 26, 2013
Revisions:
Date of revision
Revised section
Revised item
VersionJanuary 1, 2023
5, 6, 7, 11, 13
update to the latest information Rev.2
The contents are based on the safety data sheet (SDS) revised on January 1, 2023.
Special instructions: none

14. DISCLAIMER
The safety summary is part of the effort for the voluntary management of chemical substance inthe chemical industry (GPS/JIPS: Japan Initiative of Product Stewardship). The purpose of thesafety summary is to provide information on the safe handling of the product as an overview andnot to provide professional information, such as the risk evaluation process and its impact onhuman health and the environment. This document is not meant to serve as an alternative to risk
evaluation, such as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or a Chemical Safety Report (CSR). This safetysummary is being written as accurately as possible based on data such as laws, materials, andinformation available at the time of publication, but it does not include all data. It does notguarantee anything.

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