Health & Chemicals

BAT Levels concerning By-Prodcuct HCB

It was recently identified in Japan that Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was unintentionally contained as by-product at a significant level in certain chemical substances such as Tetrachlorophtalic anhydride (TCPA, CAS No.117-08-8) and its derivatives (e.g. Solvent Red 135, CAS No.20749-68-2).

HCB is to be eliminated globally based on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and is designated in Japan as one of the Class I Specified Chemicals of which production, import and use are prohibited under the Chemical Substances Control Law. Since it is important to reduce the contaminant HCB, the Class I Specified Chemical, as a by-product in other chemical substances as much as possible, the Law requires its reduction by applying the BAT (Best Available Technology/Techniques) for preventing its generation.

In April 2006, the MHLW, METI and MOE established an "Assessment Committee on the BAT Levels for Reduction of a Specified Chemical as a Contaminant By-product" to evaluate the technically and economically best feasible level (BAT level) for reduction of by-product HCB. In addition, the three Ministries required manufactures and importers of TCPA and other substances to take their best measures to reduce the contaminant HCB in these products as well as to manage and report the status of their production, import, sales and storage.

The Committee had conducted hearings with producers and importers of TCPA and Solvent Red 135 to evaluate the BAT for reducing HCB. In August 2006, the three Ministries published the draft report of the Committee and invited public comments on it. Taking the comments into consideration, the Committee finalized its report on November 9, 2006, proposing the BAT levels for reduction of by-product HCB in these chemicals (200ppm for TCPA and 10ppm for Solvent Red 135).

The Committee also had conducted hearings with producers and importers of TCPA derivatives other than Solvent Red 135 (e.g. Pigment Yellow 110 (CAS No. 5590-18-1) and Pigment Yellow 138 (CAS No. 30125-47-4)), and of Phthalocyanine derivatives (e.g. Pigment Green 7 (CAS No. 1328-53-6, 14832-14-5) and Pigment Green 36 (CAS No. 14302-13-7, 68512-13-0)) to evaluate the BAT for reducing HCB. In February 2007, the three Ministries published the draft report of the Committee and invited public comments on it. Taking the comments into consideration, the Committee finalized its report on April 12, 2007, proposing BAT levels for reduction of by-product HCB in these chemicals (10ppm for TCPA derivatives other than Pigment Yellow 138, and for Pigment Green 36).

The three Ministries are going to require manufacturers and importers of these chemicals to make their further efforts for reducing by-product HCB in accordance with these reports.

Report on BAT Levels concerning By-product HCB in TCPA and Solvent Red 135

  • 1/2 [PDF 217KB]
  • 2/2 [PDF 390KB]

Report on BAT Levels concerning By-product HCB in Other Pigments Derived from TCPA and Phthalocyanine Pigments

  • 1/2 [PDF 305KB]
  • 2/2 [PDF 345KB]

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