Chemical Sampling Information
	Magnesium
Quick Links General Description Health Factors Monitoring 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 General Description Synonyms: magnesium pellets; magnesium powder; magnesium shavings OSHA IMIS Code Number: M100 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7439-95-4 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: OM2100000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1869 138 [27 KB, PDF] Chemical Description and Physical Properties: silvery-white metallic solid in various forms molecular formula: Mg molecular weight: 24.31 boiling point: 1100°C melting point: 649°C Potentially hazardous incompatibilities: May spontaneously ignite on contact with air if finely divided or on heating. Reacts violently with oxidants and many other substances, causing fire and explosion hazard Health Factors Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, mucous membranes; cough; headache, dullness, weakness; elevated body temperature, metal fume fever; eye redness, pain; INGES. ACUTE: Abdominal pain, diarrhea. Health Effects: Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, skin---Mild (HE16). Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system Notes: OSHA does not have a PEL for airborne magnesium particles. Finely dispersed magnesium particles in air may constitute an explosive mixture if the level reaches 30 g/m3. In a mortality study of employees at a magnesium foundry during 1940-1961, significant increases in the incidences of deaths from several malignant neoplasms (respiratory, lymphatic, hemopoietic, leukemia) were reported. In a study of employees at another magnesium foundry, increased incidences of lung, lip, and stomach cancers were found and thought to be possibly related to exposure to chemicals at the foundry other than magnesium, such as asbestos (before 1980), chlorinated coal tar pitch products (e.g., hexachlorobenzene), chlorine gas, and hydrochloric aerosols. Increased plasma levels of some polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and benzofurans were reported in employees at a magnesium production plant in Norway compared with controls not involved in magnesium production Date Last Revised: 04/04/2007 Literature Basis: International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Magnesium (powder). International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Magnesium (pellets). Burns, C.J., Cartmill, J.B. and Chau, M.: Cause-specific mortality among Michigan employees of a chemical company: 1940-1994. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 44(2): 168-175, 2002. Hansson, M., Grimstad, T. and Rappe, C.: Occupational exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in a magnesium production plant. Occup. Environ. Med. 52(12): 823-826, 1995. Heldaas, S.S., Langard, S. and Andersen, A.: Incidence of cancer in a cohort of magnesium production workers. Br. J. Ind. Med. 46(9): 617-623, 1989. Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Magnesium. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1421-1423. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns maximum volume: 960 Liters   minimum volume: 480 Liters   maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min current analytical method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-121) method classification: Fully Validated note: Samples may be collected up to an 8-hour period, if the filter is not overloaded. All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.