Chemical Sampling Information
	Silica, crystalline quartz (Respirable Fraction)
Quick Links General Description Exposure Limits 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 Synonym: Quartz OSHA IMIS Code Number: 9010 IMIS Name History: Silica (Quartz, respirable) prior to 9/1/89 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 14808-60-7 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: VV7330000 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Silica, crystalline (as respirable dust): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more Exposure Limits OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-3 Table - Mineral Tables --    250 mppcf*       10 mg/m3*    %SiO2 + 5 %SiO2 + 2 OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A --    250 mppcf*    %SiO2 + 5 OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards --    250 mppcf*    %SiO2 + 5 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.025 mg/m3, 0.01 ppm TWA; Respirable fraction; see Appendix C, paragraph C (Listed under Silica, Crystalline -- α-Quartz and Cristobalite) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.05 mg/m3; Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens; Appendix C - Supplementary Exposure Limits (Mineral Dusts) * follow links for additional information and footnotes Health Factors National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Known to be a Human Carcinogen [184 KB, PDF] International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 1, Carcinogenic to humans [72 KB, PDF] NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 25 mg/m3 (Cristobalite & Tridymite); 50 mg/m3 (Quartz & Tripoli) Potential symptoms: Cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing; decreased pulmonary function, progressive respiratory symptoms (silicosis); irritation eyes; [potential occupational carcinogen] Health Effects: Pneumoconiosis (Silicosis) (HE10) Affected organs: Eyes, respiratory system Literature Basis: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Silica, crystalline (as respirable dust) International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Quartz Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Preweighed Tared Low Ash Polyvinyl Chloride (LAPVC) filter 5 microns preceded by 10 mm Nylon Dorr-Oliver Cyclone maximum volume: 816 Liters   maximum flow rate: 1.7 L/min current analytical method: X-ray Diffraction; XRD method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-142) method classification: Fully Validated note: OSHA personnel must obtain filter from SLTC. Collect a sample of the bulk substance and send to the lab in a separate mailing container at the time the air samples are submitted. Indicate on the sample sheet that a bulk sample has been submitted. For SiO2, a high volume area or settled dust sample is preferred. If submitting high volume sample collect at least 5 grams of dust, clearly mark samples to be used for reference as a bulk. Any sample weight between 0.10 mg and 5.0 mg is acceptable (0.5 to 3.0 mg is preferred). If they are present in the work environment, the following major interferences should be noted: aluminum phosphate, feldspars (microcline orthoclase, plagioclase), graphite, iron carbide, lead sulphate, micas (biotite, muscovite), montomorillonite, potash, sillimanite, silver chloride, talc and zircon (zirconium silicate). Quartz and cristobalite may be submitted on the same filter, otherwise, submit as separate filter. 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.