Synonyms: Aluminum; Aluminium; Aluminum, elemental

OSHA IMIS Code Number: A102

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 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1309 170 (powder, coated); 1396 138 (powder, uncoated)

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Aluminum (pyro powders and welding fumes, as Al): Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Not listed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: Not listed

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

1. Impairment of cognitive function, motor dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been reported in limited studies of workers exposed to aluminum fumes (NLM 2012).
   
2. Chronic occupational exposure to aluminum dust and fumes can cause signs of cholestasis (Bogdanovic and Bulat 2008).

Literature Basis

• Bogdanovic, M. and Bulat, P.: Biliary Function in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Aluminum Dust and Fumes. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. 59(2): 135-9, 2008.
• NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Welding, Brazing, and Thermal Cutting. 1988.
• NIOSH: Recommendations for occupational safety and health - Compendium of policy documents and statements. NIOSH Publication No. 92-100. 1992.
• NLM: Hazardous Substance Data Bank (HSDB) Aluminum, Elemental. 2012.
• NIOSH: Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123, (1981, January). Provides a table of contents of guidelines for many hazardous chemicals. The files provide technical chemical information, including chemical and physical properties, health effects, exposure limits, and recommendations for medical monitoring, personal protective equipment (PPE), and control procedures.

Date Last Reviewed: 9/6/2012

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

Federal OSHA and OSHA State Plan personnel submitting samples to the OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center Laboratory for Aluminum (as Al, welding fumes) 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 ID-121)
  method classification: Partially Validated
  note: OSHA personnel can obtain tared sampling media from the Salt Lake Technical Center.
  note: If the net weight of the sample yields a concentration below the standard for the substance, the Salt Lake Technical Center 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. current elemental analysis method: Lithium Borate Fusion/AAS or Microwave Digestion/AAS
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-109-SG or OSHA ID-198SG)
  method classification: Partially Validated
  note: Submit as a separate sample. When analysis of a compound is requested, an elemental analysis is performed and reported as the compound. The analytical method does not distinguish between dust and fume.

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