Synonyms: Actinolite asbestos; Amosite asbestos; Anthophyllite asbestos; Chrysotile asbestos; Crocidolite asbestos; Tremolite asbestos

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 9020

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 1332-21-4 (Asbestos); 12172-67-7 (Ferroactinolite asbestos); 17068-78-9 (Anthophyllite asbestos); 12172-73-5 (Amosite asbestos); 12001-29-5 (Chrysotile asbestos); 12001-28-4 (Crocidolite asbestos); 14567-73-8 (Tremolite asbestos)

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: CI6475000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 2212 171 (blue, brown); 2590 171 (white)

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

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazard Summary - Asbestos: Uses, sources and potential exposure, acute and chronic health hazard information, and more

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Known to be a human carcinogen [138 KB PDF, 3 pages]

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 1 [2 MB PDF, 92 pages] (carcinogenic to humans)

EPA carcinogenic classification: Human carcinogen

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. Occupational exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of ovarian and laryngeal cancer (Camargo et al. 2011; Ramroth et al. 2011; Clin et al. 2011; Harding et al. 2009).
2. Occupational exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of stroke (Harding et al. 2009).

Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

• ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Asbestos, All Forms. 2001.
• Camargo MC, Stayner LT, Straif K, Reina M, Al-Alem U, Demers PA, Landrigan PJ: Occupational exposure to asbestos and ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect. 119(9):1211-7, September 2011.
• Clin B, Morlais F, Launoy G, Guizard AV, Dubois B, Bouvier V, Desoubeaux N, Marquignon MF, Raffaelli C, Paris C, Galateau-Salle F, Guittet L, Letourneux M: Cancer incidence within a cohort occupationally exposed to asbestos: a study of dose-response relationships. Occup Environ Med. 68(11):832-6, November 2011.
• Harding AH, Darnton A, Wegerdt J, McElvenny D: Mortality among British asbestos workers undergoing regular medical examinations (1971-2005). Occup Environ Med. 66(7):487-95, July 2009.
• NIOSH: Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Asbestos. 1988.
• NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Chrysotile. March 22, 1999.
• NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Crocidolite. November 27, 1998.
• OSHA: Occupational Exposure to Asbestos. 1994.
• Ramroth H, Ahrens W, Dietz A, Becher H: Occupational asbestos exposure as a risk factor for laryngeal carcinoma in a population-based case-control study from Germany. Am J Ind Med. 54(7):510-4, July 2011.

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

• sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns (open face) 25 mm cassette with 50 mm conductive cowl
  maximum volume: 2400 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 5.0 L/min (Maritime only); 2.5 L/min (General Industry and Construction)
  minimum flow rate: 0.5 L/min (TWA)
  minimum volume: 48 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 5.0 L/min
  minimum flow rate: 1.6 L/min (30 min Excursion Limit)
  current analytical method: Phase Contrast Microscopy; PCM
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-160)
  method classification: Fully Validated
  note: Do not request multiple analytes. Do not overload. If dust is high, reduce air volume to avoid overloading. A minimum of 2 blanks or 10% of the number of samples are required for every set.
  

Wipe Sampling Method:

• note: Do not use Whatman or other paper filters. Bulk preferred.
  

Bulk Method:

• sampling media: Bulk Samples
  current analytical method: Polarized Light Microscopy; PLM
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-191)
  note: Collect sample in a 20 mL scintillation vial. Do not ship bulk samples with air samples.

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