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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Hydrous magnesium silicate; Non-fibrous talc; Non-asbestiform talc; Steatite talc; Fibrous Non-Tremolite Talc; Talc (Total) prior to + 9/1/89

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 9030

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 14807-96-6

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: WW2710000

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Talc (Containing no asbestos): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
odorless solid
molecular weight: 295
vapor pressure: approx. 0 mm
melting point: 1652 to 1832 F
Incompatibilities None hazardous

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-3

Construction Industry: 20 mppcf (Mineral Dusts Table)
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 2 mg/m3 TWA; The value is for particulate matter containing no asbestos and <1% crystalline silica. (Respirable fraction) Appendix A4 (Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 2 mg/m3 TWA

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans [1 MB PDF, 137 pages]
Potential Symptoms: Fibrotic pneumoconiosis

Health Effects: Pneumoconiosis (Talcosis) (HE10)

Affected Organs: Lungs, CVS
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):
  • sampling media: Tared Low Ash Polyvinyl Chloride (LAPVC) filter 5 microns with 10 mm Nylon Cyclone
    maximum volume: 816 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 1.7 L/min
    current analytical method: Gravimetric Analysis
    method reference: 11, 12
    sampling and analytical error: 0.10
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: Gravimetric analysis is a field method, do not submitted sample to SLTC. Standard is for inert dust; noncompliance can be based on gross weight without laboratory analysis. If the filter is not overloaded, samples may be collected up to an 8-hour period. Sample may be submitted to SLTC for Quartz analysis.
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Page last updated: 01/15/1999

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