<< Back to Chemical Sampling Information

Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
Search (use word(s)/phrase)
Table of Contents
By Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

By CAS Number
Quick Links
General Description

Synonyms: Iron metal; Elemental iron

OSHA IMIS Code Number: I200

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7439-89-6









Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Not established

 

 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

Not established

 

 

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV)

Not established

 

 
CAL/OSHA PEL Not established

 

 

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 established

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. Upon inhalation, iron is an irritant to the lungs and gastrointestinal tract (ILO 1998).
  2. The settling of iron particles in the eye results in siderosis. The extent of siderosis is affected by the location of the deposition. Deposition in the cornea results in a "rust ring" surrounding the area, which is associated with discomfort, hyperemia of the conjunctiva, and the influx of inflammatory cells (Grant 1986).
  3. Iron dust may induce interstitial lung disease (Chu et al. 2011).

Date last revised: 09/06/2012

Literature Basis

  • Chu, H.Q., Liu, J.M., Gui, T., Zhao, L., Sun, D.Y., Zhang, J.B., Yi, X.H.: Case of interstitial lung disease possibly induced by exposure to iron dust. Heart Lung. 2012.
  • Grant, W.M.: Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, p. 526, 1986.
  • International Labour Office (ILO): Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. 4th edition, Volumes 1-4 1998. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, p. 63, 1998.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • current analytical method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS
    method reference: 2 (OSHA ID-121)
    sampling analytical error: 0.16
    method classification: Fully Validated
    alternate analytical method: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP
    method reference: 2 (OSHA ID-125G)
    sampling analytical error: 0.12
    method classification: Fully Validated

** All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.