Common Name: Aluminum Oxide
CAS Number: 1344-28-1
DOT Number: None
Date: January, 1989
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Aluminum Oxide can affect you when breathed in.
* Exposure to Aluminum Oxide can irritate the eyes, nose, and
throat.
* Repeated exposure to high levels of Aluminum Oxide dust may
cause scarring of the lungs ("pulmonary fibrosis") with
shortness of breath. This condition can be fatal.
IDENTIFICATION
Aluminum Oxide is a white, crystalline (sand like) powder. It is
used as an adsorbent, in abrasive and aluminum manufacturing, in
paper, spark plugs, fluxes and heat resistant fibers, and in
chromatographic analysis.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Aluminum Oxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is cited by EPA and ACGIH.
* Definitions are attached.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
employer. You have a legal right to this information under
OSHA 1910.20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit for Aluminum
metal and oxide is 10 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour
workshift.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
worn.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly at the end of the workshift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
of Aluminum Oxide to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential
and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential
effects described below.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Aluminum Oxide:
* Exposure to Aluminum Oxide can irritate the eyes, nose, and
throat.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Aluminum Oxide and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Aluminum Oxide has been tested
and has not been shown to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Aluminum Oxide has been tested
and has not been shown to affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* Repeated exposure to large amounts of Aluminum Oxide dust may
damage the lungs, leading to pneumonia and to scarring of the
lungs (pulmonary fibrosis), with shortness of breath. This
condition can be fatal.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
If there has been a long history of high exposure, or if lung
symptoms develop, a chest x ray and pulmonary function tests are
recommended.
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to
this information under OSHA 1910.20.
Mixed Exposures
Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer,
emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen
respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you
have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of
developing health problems.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical
release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using
respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the
controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly
toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
exposures are possible.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Aluminum Oxide
should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Aluminum
Oxide.
* Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Aluminum
Oxide at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin
contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Aluminum Oxide is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
* Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. DO
NOT DRY SWEEP.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
appropriate.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
to every situation.
Clothing
* Avoid skin contact with Aluminum Oxide. Wear protective gloves
and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can
provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing
material for your operation.
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
Eye Protection
* Wear dust proof goggles when working with powders or dust,
unless full face piece respiratory protection is worn.
Respiratory Protection
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should
only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into
account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training,
respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA
1910.134.
* Where the potential exists for exposures over 10 mg/m3, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator equipped with particulate
(dust/fume/mist) filters. More protection is provided by a
full facepiece respirator than by a half mask respirator, and
even greater protection is provided by a powered air purifying
respirator. Particulate filters must be checked every day
before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and
replaced as needed.
* If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator,
you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Aluminum Oxide, or
in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye
irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the
respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the
filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good,
you may need a new respirator.
* Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace.
You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges,
or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical
(such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
* Where the potential for high exposures exists, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full
facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a
full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode,
or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or
other positive pressure mode.
Common Name: Aluminum Oxide
DOT Number: None
DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation
CAS Number: 1344-28-1
----------------------------------------
Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY 1 Not Rated
REACTIVITY 1 Not Rated
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Aluminum Oxide is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until cleanup is complete.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Aluminum Oxide
as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific
recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Aluminum Oxide you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area.
* Aluminum Oxide is not compatible with hot chlorinated rubber.
FIRST AID
POISON INFORMATION
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention.
Skin Contact
* Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with
water.
Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
* Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
PHYSICAL DATA
Water Solubility: Insoluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
Aluminum Oxide
Other Names and Formulations:
Alumina; Aloxite; Aluminite 37.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
------------------------------------------
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Aluminum oxide occurs naturally in the environment in the minerals
bauxite, baerites, boehmite, corundum, diaspore and gibbsite.
Aluminum oxide is a white solid. It is used as an absorbent,
desiccant, abrasive, and filler for paints and varnishes; in the
manufacture of alloys, ceramic materials, electrical gems; and as
a catalyst for chemical reactions. Aluminum oxide occurs naturally
in the aquatic environment and can be added to by discharges from
industry or spills.
ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance. Aluminum oxide has slight acute
toxicity to aquatic life, but its toxicity will be increased under
alkaline conditions. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or
predict the short-term effects of aluminum oxide to plants, birds,
or land animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic
chemical.
Aluminum oxide has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life, but its
toxicity will be increased under alkaline conditions. Insufficient
data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of
aluminum oxide to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Aluminum oxide is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1
milligram or less will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Aluminum oxide is highly persistent in water, with a half-life
greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount
of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
Aluminum oxide will not accumulate in edible tissues of aquatic
species that are consumed by humans.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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