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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Osmic acid

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1960

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 20816-12-0

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: RN1140000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2471 55

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:

colorless to pale yellow solid with an odor like chlorine; sharp and choking
molecular weight: 254
vapor pressure: 11 mm at 27°C
boiling point: 130°C (Sublimes well below BP)
melting point: 40.6°C

Incompatibilities: Hydrochloric acid, easily oxidized organic materials

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

General Industry: 0.002 mg/m3

Construction Industry: 0.002 mg/m3 TWA

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.0002 ppm, 0.0016 mg/m3 TWA; 0.0006 ppm, 0.0047 mg/m3 STEL

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.0002 ppm TWA; 0.0006 ppm STEL

Health Factors

Potential Symptoms: Lacrimation, vision disturbance, conjunctivitis; headaches; coughing, dyspnea; dermatitis

Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14) Lung edema (HE11)

Affected Organs: Eyes, respiratory system, skin

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

  • sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns in series with a Midget Fritted Glass Bubbler (MFGB) containing 15 mL Distilled Water
    maximum volume: 480 Liters
    minimum volume: 480 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min (TWA)
    maximum volume: 15 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min (STEL)
    current analytical method: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP/DCP-AES
    method reference: 2 (OSHA ID-125G)
    method classification: Not Validated
    alternate analytical method: Neutron Activation Analysis; NAA
    method reference: 2 (OSHA In-House File)
    method classification: Not Validated
    note: Before sampling, OSHA personnel are to contact the Salt Lake Technical Center for any additional instructions or changes to sampling strategies. When analysis of the compound is requested, an elemental analysis is performed and reported as the compound.

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