Zirconium vanadium blue zircon

Endpoint summary

Additional information

The chemical and physiological properties of the pigment zirconium vanadium blue zircon are characterised by inertness because of the specific synthetic process (calcination at high temperatures, approximately1000°C), rendering the substance to be of a unique, stable crystalline structure in which all atoms are tightly bound and not prone to dissolution in environmental and physiological media. This manufacturing process leads to a very low bioaccessibility of the elements contained in the pigment. This has been investigated experimentally in vitro by simulating dissolution under physiological conditions considered to mimic the most relevant exposure routes (oral, dermal and inhalation), as follows:

1.) Gamble’s solution (GMB, pH 7.4) which mimics the interstitial fluid within the deep lung under normal health conditions,

2.) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2), which is a standard physiological solution that mimics the ionic strength of human blood serum,

3.) artificial sweat (ASW, pH 6.5) which simulates the hypoosmolar fluid, linked to hyponatraemia (loss of Na+ from blood), which is excreted from the body upon sweating,

4.) artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF, pH 4.5), which simulates intracellular conditions in lung cells occurring in conjunction with phagocytosis and represents relatively harsh conditions and

5.) artificial gastric fluid (GST, pH 1.5), which mimics the very harsh digestion milieu of high acidity in the stomach.

 

The dissolution of Zr of the test item is between below LoD (0.05 µg/L) /0.07 µg/L (GMB) and 59.5µg/L/ 61.6 µg/L (GST) at a loading of 0.1g/L after 2 and 24 hours.

The dissolution of V of the test item is in a range of 3.98 µg/L)/ 10.6 µg/L (GMB) and 102 µg/L/ 109 µg/L (GST) at a loading of 0.1g/L after 2 and 24 hours.

A pHdependent dissolution can be observed.In conclusion, since the dissolvedZr and V concentrations were below 109 µg/L even at the highest loading of 0.1g/L, referring to a solubility of 0.11 %, this pigment may reasonably be considered biologically inert.

Bacteria reverse mutation assay

The bacteria reverse mutation assay (Engelhardt_1992) yielded a negative result. However, tests on the mutagenic potential of Zirconium Vanadium blue zircon in bacteria are considered dispensable for principal considerations, since inorganic metal compounds are frequently negative in this assay due to limited capacity for uptake of metal ions (Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.7a, p. 387; HERAG facts sheet mutagenicity, Chapter 2.1). The evaluation of this reference is therefore primarily based on the method description.

Short description of key information:
In conclusion, since the dissolved Zr and V concentrations from this pigment (zirconium vanadium blue zircon) under simulated physiological conditions were below 61.6 µg/L and 109 µg/L respectively, even at the highest loading of 0.1g/L, referring to a solubility of 0.062 % and 0.11 %, the pigment is considered biologically inert.
Testing in bacteria reverse mutation assays, although of limited relevance for metals (HERAG, 2007), yielded negative results.

Endpoint Conclusion:

Justification for classification or non-classification

The chemical and physiological properties of the pigment zirconium vanadium blue zircon are characterised by inertness because of the specific synthetic process (calcination at high temperatures, approximately1000°C), rendering the substance to be of a unique, stable crystalline structure in which all atoms are tightly bound and not prone to dissolution in environmental and physiological media. Bioavailability which is the basis for the oral, dermal or inhalation exposure route is not given.In consequence, this substance may reasonably be considered inert in all media relevant for uptake into the body and also the compartment relevant for distribute within body tissues. Hence, no repeated dose toxicity effects are expected and no further testing is considered to be required. No classification for genetic toxicity according to Directive 67/548/EEC and EC Regulation No. 1272/2008 is anticipated.