Organic Pigments That Can Unintentionally Contain Polychlorinated Biphenyl (Second Report)

Following our report on February 10 that some organic pigments contained a trace of unintentionally generated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), manufacturers/importers below notified that they found goods containing PCB in excess of the international standard (50 ppm).

In response to this notification, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) instructed the entrepreneurs to stop manufacturing, import and shipment of those organic pigments and to collect them (same as the administrative guidance on February 10).

In case any pigment containing PCB over 50 ppm is found in the future, we will also provide the same administrative guidance immediately and make an announcement from time to time.

1. Designation of the entrepreneur:

Sanyo Color Works, Ltd.
Sansui Shikiso Kogyo KK (entrusted with manufacturing by the above entrepreneur)

2. Progress

In response to the announcement of pigments that generate PCB in excess of 50 ppm as a byproduct on February 10, the above entrepreneurs investigated some pigments that had not been inspected. As a result, some pigments were found to contain PCB in excess of the international standard (50 ppm).

3. Pigments found to generate PCB in excess of 50 ppm as a byproduct

Designation announced in official gazette, manufactured or imported quantity etc.	Major applications
Pigment Red-2 (Product name): PERMANENT RED G-87 (Measured concentration reported: 52 ppm) Imported quantity of the above product in FY 2010: 1.0 t	Coated paper and stamp pads
Sanyo Color Works also reported that the following pigment, for which it entrusts Sansui Shikiso Kogyo KK with manufacturing, contained PCB as follows: α- (2, 5-dichlorophenyl azo) – 2 -α- acetylacetamide – 6 - ethoxy benzothiazole (generic designation: Pigment Yellow 165) (Product name): FAST YELLOW F5G (Measured concentration reported: 208 ppm) Manufactured quantity of the above product in FY 2010: 2.2 t	Paint, export

Designation announced in official gazette, manufactured or imported quantity etc.

Major applications

Pigment Red-2
(Product name): PERMANENT RED G-87
(Measured concentration reported: 52 ppm)
Imported quantity of the above product in FY 2010: 1.0 t

Coated paper and stamp pads

Sanyo Color Works also reported that the following pigment, for which it entrusts Sansui Shikiso Kogyo KK with manufacturing, contained PCB as follows: α- (2, 5-dichlorophenyl azo) – 2 -α- acetylacetamide – 6 - ethoxy benzothiazole (generic designation: Pigment Yellow 165)
(Product name): FAST YELLOW F5G
(Measured concentration reported: 208 ppm)
Manufactured quantity of the above product in FY 2010: 2.2 t

Paint, export

Release Date

February 17, 2012

Division in Charge

Chemical Management Policy Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau

Related Information

Chemical Management

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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901, Japan Tel: +81-(0)3-3501-1511