Chemical name: Arsenic oxide (As2O5)

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Severely Restricted

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

Arsenic pentoxide or mixtures which contain 0.1% or more of the chemical are banned for manufacture, import and use as an industrial chemical, except for the use mentioned below.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Arsenic pentoxide or mixtures which contain 0.1% or more of the chemical may be used as a wood preservative and for moth treatment purposes under the Forestry Law.

Use for research of laboratory purposes is allowed.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Arsenic pentoxide and mixtures which contain 0.1% or more of arsenic pentoxide are only allowed to manufacture, import and use as a wood preservative and for moth treatment purposes under the Forestry Law.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Arsenic pentoxide has risk of acute toxic and carcinogenic effect on humans. When a person is exposed to the chemical, the chemical can cause pulmonary diseases, blindness and various skin diseases. In vitro and in vivo studies on experimental animals show arsenic pentoxide can cause chromosomal aberration of human.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

It is expected that the regulatory action has significantly reduced the potential risk of toxic effect on workers involved in the manufacture, application or use and environment.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Arsenic pentoxide has high acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and has moderate to significant bioaccumulatove and persistent effect.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

It is expected that the regulatory action has significantly reduced the potential risk of toxic effect on workers involved in the manufacture, application or use and environment

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 13/11/2003

Arsenic pentoxide adn its mixtures were banned for manufacture, use and import except use for an additive for manufacture or industrial goods by MOE's Publich Notice No 1991-44 (9 August 1991). the notice was amended several times and final amended notice took into force on 13 November 2003.