C.I. Pigment Red 104 (molybdate orange)

CAS Registry Number 12656-85-8

The Final Screening Assessment for C.I. Pigment Red 104 was published on January 31, 2009 as part of Batch 2 of the Challenge initiative of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The assessment is summarized on this page.

What is it

• C.I. Pigment Red 104, also known as molybdate orange, is an industrial chemical.

How is it used

• C.I. Pigment Red 104 is mainly used for export and commercial, non-consumer uses, such as additives for paints and coatings, printing inks and in plastics.
• It is also used in traffic paint striping to improve safety/visibility for highways and airports, and for safety identification paints on buses, ambulances and fire trucks.
• C.I. Pigment Red 104 can also be found in industrial paints for automotive finishes, industrial and agricultural equipment, industrial baking enamels and air-dried finishes.
• Based on the most recent data, C.I. Pigment Red 104 is manufactured in and imported into Canada.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it

• C.I. Pigment Red 104 was identified as a potential concern to human health based on its classification by an international organization as a substance which was found to cause cancer in some studies with laboratory animals and that may cause harm to the developing fetus and may also impair fertility.
• C.I. Pigment Red 104 was also believed to have a high potential for exposure to Canadians.
• C.I. Pigment Red 104 was assessed by Government of Canada scientists to help decide if further actions may be necessary so that the health of Canadians and the environment are protected.

How are Canadians exposed to it

• There were no reports of current uses in consumer products. As a result the exposure of the general population in Canada to C.I. Pigment Red 104 is expected to be very low.

What is the Government of Canada doing

• The Government of Canada has conducted an evaluation of C.I. Pigment Red 104 based on science, called a screening assessment.
• The Government of Canada has determined that C.I. Pigment Red 104 is considered to be harmful to human health.
• Although Canadians' exposure is very low, the Government of Canada is taking action so that exposure remains low.
• Risk management options include the development of a future notification tool so that new uses in Canada do not increase exposure for Canadians.
• The Government of Canada will phase out the use of pavement marking paints containing C.I. Pigment Red 104 after December 31, 2010 according to the Surface Coating Materials Regulations of the Hazardous Products Act.
• The proposed risk management approach document was published on January 31, 2009. The proposed risk management approach will be subject to a 60-day public comment period ending April 1, 2009.
• Up-to-date information of the risk management action milestones for C.I. Pigment Red 104 is available.

What should Canadians do

• Because exposure to C.I. Pigment Red 104 is very low, Canadians do not need to take any specific actions to reduce their exposure.