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Exposure
Measure Amount
Compare to Limit
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General Industry Standard
Table 1910.1000 Z-3

Table Z-3 Mineral Dusts

Substance mppcf [a] mg/m(3)



SILICA:
Crystalline    obsolete
   Quartz (respirable)     250 [b]
   10 mg/m(3) [e]
   %SiO(2) +5    %SiO(2) +2
   
   Quartz (Total Dust)       30 mg/m(3)
   %SiO(2) +2
   Cristobalite: Use 1/2 the value calculated from the count of mass formulae for quartz
   Tridymite: use 1/2 the value calculated from the formulae for quartz.
Amorphous, including natural diatomaceous earth    20    80 mg/m(3)
   %SiO(2)
Silicates
   (less than 1 percent crystalline silica):
   Mica    20
   Soapstone    20  
   Talc (not containing asbestos)    20 [c]    
   Talc (containing asbestos) Use asbestos limit Tremolite, asbestiform (see 29 CFR 1910.1001) Portland cement    50    
Graphite (natural)
   15    
Coal Dust:
   Respirable fraction less than 5% SiO(2)    2.4 mg/m(3) [e]
   Respirable fraction greater than 5% SiO(2)    10 mg/m(3) [e]
   %SiO(2) +2
Inert or Nuisance Particulates [d]:
   Respirable fraction    15    5 mg/m(3)
   Total dust    50      15 mg/m(3)

Note: Conversion factors - mppcf X 35.3 = million particles per cubic meter = particles per c.c.

Footnote(a) Millions of particles per cubic foot of air, based on impinger samples counted by light-field techniques.
Footnote(b) The percentage of crystalline silica in the formula is the amount determined from airborne samples, except in those instances in which other methods have been shown to be applicable.
Footnote(c) Containing less than 1% quartz; if 1% quartz or more, use quartz limit. 
Footnote(d) All inert or nuisance dusts, whether mineral, inorganic, or organic, not listed specifically by substance name are covered by this limit, which is the same as the Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR) limit in Table Z-1.
Footnote(e) Both concentration and percent quartz for the application of this limit are to be determined from the fraction passing a size-selector with the following characteristics:
 
Aerodynamic diameter (unit density sphere) Percent passing selector


   2    90
   2.5    75
   3.5    50
   5.0    25
   10    0
  The measurements under this note refer to the use of an AEC (now NRC) instrument. The respirable fraction of coal dust is determined with an MRE; the figure corresponding to that of 2.4 mg/m(3) in the table for coal dust is 4.5 mg/m(3).
  
 
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