Number
135-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of food products
Scientific research and development
Function
Solids separation (precipitating) agent
Process
Manual activities involving hand contact
Product category
Processing aids such as pH-regulators, flocculants, percipitant, neutalization agents
laboratory chemicals
Application
analysis of sugar cane and sugar beet
Abstract
Lead acetate can be replaced by aluminium sulphate in analysing sugar cane and sugar beet. Using alternative analytical methods that do not involve lead acetate is also possible.
Substituted substances
Lead acetate, basic
CAS No. 1335-32-6 EC No. 215-630-3 Index No. 082-007-00-9
Chemical group
Lead compounds; carboxylic acid salts
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Alternative Substances
Aluminium sulphate
CAS No. 10043-01-3 EC No. 233-135-0 Index No.
Chemical group
Aluminum compounds; sulfates
Other adverse effects
Aluminium is included in the Substance database according to SUBSPORT screening criteri ( SDSC) as neurotoxic ( Vela level 4).
Diatomite
CAS No. 61790-53-2 EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Silicas
Reliability of information
Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed
Reason substitution
skin/respiratory sensitizing
ecotoxicity
other toxic effects
Other type of alternative
Infrared polarimetry
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Lead acetate basic may damage the unborn child and is suspected of damaging fertility, is very toxic to aquatic life, is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, is harmful if swallowed, is harmful if inhaled and may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Alternative substances: Aluminium sulphate and diatomite ha no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).
Description of Substitution
Lead acetate basic is used as clarifying agent in the polarisation method (visible light range) for analysing sucrose in sugar cane and beet juice. As it is reprotoxic and a suspected carcinogen it should be substituted. It can be replaced by aluminium sulphate. In the case of very turbid juices, diatomite may be used to improve clarity. Avoiding lead acetate may be also achieved by choosing a different type of analytical method: filtering the juice with diatomite and then using a polarimeter at 825 nm or using infrared spectrophotometry. All these methods represent alterations of the official method in France and therefore need to be validated.
Case/substitution evaluation
Aluminium sulphate and diatomite can be used to replace more hazardous lead acetate. If the diatomite is of the flux-calcined type it may contain high levels of crystalline silica, a carcinogen. The consequences of the use of diatomite, which may contain carcinogenic substances, cannot be foreseen here, so further research is required.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
France
Availability ofAlternative
Alternative available on the market
Type of information supplier
Authority
Contact
INRS - INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE ET DE SÉCURITÉ pour la prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelle, France, http://www.inrs.fr www.inrs.fr
Type of publication and availability
Fact sheet
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
The Fact sheet was developed by CNAMTS and INRS, France and published by INRS in 2011.
Publication source
Type of publication and availability
http://www.inrs.fr/accueil/produits/mediatheque/doc/publications.html?refINRS=FAS%2015
Date, reviewed
December 11, 2020