Welcome to ICBA
The International Carbon Black Association is a scientific, non-profit corporation originally founded in 1977. Since then, ICBA has sponsored, conducted, and participated in investigations, researches, and analyses relating to the health, safety, and environmental aspects of the production and use of carbon black.
What is Carbon Black?
Carbon Black began as a reinforcing agent in tires. Today, the uses of carbon black have expanded to include pigmentation, ultraviolet (UV) stabilization and conductive agents in a variety of everyday and specialty high performance products.
uses of carbon black
Carbon Black Safety
What you should know about Carbon Black Regulations
Carbon Black Safety
What is the current IARC classification for carbon black?
In 1995, and more recently in February 2006, an IARC panel of experts conducted a comprehensive review of carbon black. They concluded that there was “sufficient evidence” of carcinogenicity of carbon black in laboratory animals (based on two inhalation studies in laboratory rats), but that there was “inadequate evidence” of carcinogenicity in humans. IARC’s overall classification placed carbon black in IARC’s Group 2B as a “possible human carcinogen.”
Does carbon black exposure present any risk of mutagenicity or genotoxicity effects?
No. The term mutagenicity refers to any damage of the DNA; genotoxicity refers to damage to the genes. At times, damage to the gene can be associated with a health abnormality, but in other cases, damage to the gene may result in no abnormality whatsoever. According to current research, there is no evidence that carbon black is a mutagen (i.e., an agent capable of causing mutagenicity) or genotoxic.
Should I be concerned about the trace quantities of PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) attached to carbon black particles?
Trace quantities of PAHs are present on some carbon blacks as a result of the manufacturing process. These contaminants are tightly bound to the surface of manufactured carbon black (not the case for soot) and can only be removed after vigorous solvent extraction in the laboratory. Additionally, studies have determined that PAHs are not removed from carbon black by human biological processes. Please refer to the PAH statement in the Resources from ICBA section
What You Should Know About Carbon Black Regulations
Is carbon black listed on California Proposition 65?
“Carbon black (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size)” was added to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) list of substances known to the State to cause cancer on February 21, 2003. The listing was triggered by the ‘authoritative’ body mechanism in the California Code of Regulations and is based on the IARC reclassification from 1995/96. All three criteria of the listing must be met for carbon black to be considered a Proposition 65 substance.
What analytical method should be used to determine the concentration of PAHs on carbon black?.
US FDA and ASTM method 7771 are specific to carbon black. The ZEK/AfPS method should NOT be applied to carbon black. For more information, please refer to the ZEK suitability statement in the Resources from ICBA section
Does carbon black migrate from plastic packaging materials into foodstuffs?
Per scientific investigation, carbon black does not migrate from plastic packaging. Carbon black was investigated to assess the possibility, and if applicable the quantity of nanoparticles migration from plastic materials used in the food packaging industry. Based on this investigation it can be concluded that nanoparticles of carbon black do not migrate into food once it is incorporated into a plastics food contact material. Please refer to the particle migration statement in the Resources from ICBA section
