Common Name: Aluminum
CAS Number: 7429-90-5
DOT Number: UN 1396
Date: January, 1986
-----------------------------------------
HAZARD SUMMARY
* Aluminum powder can affect you when breathed in.
* Exposure to fine dust can cause scarring of the lungs
(pulmonary fibrosis) with symptoms of cough and shortness of
breath.
* Exposure to Aluminum powder can irritate the eyes. Contact
with particles can scratch the eyes.
* Aluminum powder can be flammable and explosive. The hazard
increases with the amount of Aluminum present, fineness of the
powder, and high humidity.
IDENTIFICATION
Aluminum is a silvery white metallic solid. It may be present as a
powder. It is mined from bauxite and has many uses in construction
and industry. It may be present in metal alloys and is used in the
paper and printing industries, in medicines, electronic, packaging
and paints.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Aluminum is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
cited by ACGIH, DOT, EPA and NFPA.
* 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 limits for Aluminum and
its compounds (measured as Aluminum) averaged over an 8 hour
workshift are as follows.
Aluminum metal or oxide: 10mg/m3
Pyro powders: 5mg/m3
Welding fumes: 5mg/m3
Soluble aluminum salts: 2mg/m3
Aluminum alkyls (noc): 2mg/m3
(noc = not otherwise classified)
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 work shift.
* 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 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.
------------------------------------------
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Aluminum:
* Contact with particles can scratch the eyes. The dust can
irritate the eyes.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Aluminum and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* There is evidence of an increase in bladder, lung and other
cancers among Aluminum smelter workers. The increase appears
to be due to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, not
to Aluminum compounds.
Reproductive Hazard
* Aluminum salts such as Aluminum Chloride and Aluminum Nitrate
are toxic to the animal fetus and cause fetal damage.
Other Long Term Effects
* Exposure to fine dust can cause scarring of the lungs
(pulmonary fibrosis) with symptoms of cough and shortness of
breath.
* Very high levels of Aluminum may damage the brain.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the
following are recommended:
* Lung function tests.
* Chest x ray should be considered.
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
should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Aluminum.
* Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Aluminum at
the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has
occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Aluminum is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
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. 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.
* Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure
to Aluminum does not occur.
* Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 2 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, 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 higher 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.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Aluminum you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Protect containers against physical damage.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area away from ACIDS, CAUSTICS, CHLORINATED HYDRO CARBONS, and
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
* Keep Aluminum DRY.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Aluminum is used, handled, or stored in a
manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
* Wherever bulk or finely powdered Aluminum is used, handled,
manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical
equipment and fittings.
Common Name: Aluminum
DOT Number: UN 1396
DOT Emergency Guide code: 40
CAS Number: 7429-90-5
----------------------------------------
Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 1
REACTIVITY - 1
----------------------------------------
POWDER MAY FORM EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WITH AIR
DO NOT USE WATER
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Aluminum powder is FLAMMABLE and can form an EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE
WITH AIR. If moisture is present the hazard is greater.
* FIRE MAY RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED.
* Use sand, soda ash, lime or dry chemical 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 is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until clean up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* DO NOT USE WATER to clean up spilled Aluminum powder.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Aluminum as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program
specific recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
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 soap
and 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
Chemical Name
Aluminum
------------------------------------------
Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the earth's crust.
It is used in the manufacture of many products, such as aircraft,
utensils, electrical conductors, and dental fillings. It is also
used in combination with other chemicals to serve many purposes
such as water purification, medicinals, catalysts, dyes, baking
powder, fireproofing and tanning. Because of its frequent use and
common occurrence, aluminum enters the environment from point and
non-point sources.
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 has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life and high acute
toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or
predict the short-term effects of aluminum to plants 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 has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient
data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of
aluminum to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Aluminum solubility in water is dependent upon pH - as pH increases
or decreases from near neutrality, solubility increases.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Aluminum 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 will not accumulate in fish tissues.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Databa.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
![[ NDCRT ]](/pix/ndcrt.gif){kind=small}
About NDCRT
