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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Aluminum; Aluminum powder; Elemental aluminum

OSHA IMIS Code Number: A100

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7429-90-5

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: BD0330000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1309 170 (powder, coated); 1396 138 (powder, uncoated); 9260 169 (molten)

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Aluminum: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 15 mg/m3 TWA

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 15 mg/m3 TWA
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 mg/m3 TWA; Respirable fraction; see Appendix C, paragraph C; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 10 mg/m3 TWA

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 1, carcinogenic to humans [236 KB PDF, 3 pages]
NIOSH/OSHA/DOE Health Guideline: Aluminum
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

Federal OSHA and OSHA State Plan personnel submitting samples to OSHA SLTC Laboratory for analysis must use the tared gravimetric sampling media described immediately below.
  • sampling media: tared 37-mm diameter low-ash polyvinyl chloride filter
    maximum volume: 960 Liters
    minimum volume: 480 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
    current analytical method: Gravimetric
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2121)
    method classification: Partially Validated
    note: OSHA personnel can obtain tared sampling media from SLTC.
    note: If the net weight of the sample yields a concentration below the standard for the substance, SLTC will perform no further work on that sample. If the net weight corresponds to an amount greater than the standard, the sample may be analyzed for the appropriate element and the result reported as the substance.
    note: Refer to Chemical Sampling Information for "alpha-Alumina" when sampling workplaces that have aluminum oxide exposures (welding, etc.).
    current elemental analysis method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-121)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    alternate analytical method: Samples are prepared as described in OSHA ID-121 and are analyzed by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP/AES or ICP/MS.
    note: When analysis of aluminum metal is requested, an elemental analysis is performed and reported as aluminum metal. The analytical method does not distinguish between dust and fume; or between aluminum metal and other acid soluble or partially acid soluble aluminum compounds.
Alternative Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 ĩm
    maximum volume: 960 Liters
    minimum volume: 480 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
    current elemental analysis method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-121)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    alternate analytical method: Samples are prepared as described in OSHA ID-121 and are analyzed by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP/AES or ICP/MS.
    note: When analysis of aluminum metal is requested, an elemental analysis is performed and reported as aluminum metal. The analytical method does not distinguish between dust and fume; or between aluminum metal and other acid soluble or partially acid soluble aluminum compounds.

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Page last updated: 01/26/2009

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