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Common Name: IRON OXIDE
CAS Number: 1309-37- DOT Number: None DOT Hazard Class: None
HAZARD SUMMARY
- Iron Oxide can affect you when breathed in.
- Exposure to Iron Oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever. This is a flu-like illness with symptoms of metallic taste, fever and chills, aches, chest tightness and cough.
- Prolonged or repeated contact can discolor the eyes causing permanent Iron staining.
- Repeated exposure to Iron Oxide fume or dust can cause pneumoconiosis ( Siderosis ) with cough, shortness of breath and changes on chest x-ray.
- Iron Oxide as Ferric Oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) is not combustible, unless finely powdered. However, Ferrous Oxide (FeO) is extremely flammable and reactive, and may ignite spontaneously in air.
IDENTIFICATION
Iron Oxide is a black crystal or a reddish-brown powder. It is used in polishing compounds, pigments, and metallurgy. Iron Oxide fume is produced when materials containing Iron are heated, as in arc welding. DOT number UN 1376 refers to Ferrous Oxide (FeO), Iron Oxide ( Spent ) or Iron Sponge. Ferrous Oxide (FeO) may be formed in Oxygen -limited atmospheres, in flue gas, and from coal gas purification. Iron Oxide ( Spent ) or Iron Sponge is produced when Iron Ore is heated below the melting point of Iron. With further processing, they become Wrought Iron.
REASON FOR CITATION
- Iron Oxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NIOSH and IARC.
- Definitions are provided on page 5.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING
EXPOSED
The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with information and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees.
RTK Substance number: 1036 Date: August 1998 Revision: May 2007
- Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
- If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
The following exposure limits are for Iron Oxide (measured as Iron ):
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 10 mg / m^3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg / m^3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg / m^3 (as the respirable fraction ) averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
- Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn.
- Wear protective work clothing.
- Wash thoroughly at the end of the workshift.
- Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Iron Oxide to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below.
Metal, metal compounds and alloys are often used in “hot” operations in the workplace. These may include, but are not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, plating, cutting, and metallizing. At the high temperatures reached in these operations, metals often form metal fumes which have different health effects and exposure standards than the original metal or metal compound and require specialized controls. Your workplace can be evaluated for the presence of particular fumes which may be generated. Consult the appropriate New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets.
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Iron Oxide :
- Exposure to Iron Oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever. This is a flu-like illness with symptoms of metallic taste, fever and chills, aches, chest tightness and cough.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Iron Oxide and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
- While Iron Oxide has been tested, it is not classifiable as to its potential to cause cancer.
Reproductive Hazard
- According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Iron Oxide has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction.
Other Long-Term Effects
- Prolonged or repeated contact can discolor the eyes, causing permanent Iron staining.
- Repeated exposure to Iron Oxide fume or dust can cause pneumoconiosis ( Siderosis ) with cough, shortness of breath and changes on chest x-ray.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that:
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
Mixed Exposures
- Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
In addition, the following controls are recommended:
- Where possible, automatically transfer Iron Oxide from drums or other storage containers to process containers.
- Before entering a confined space where Ferrous Oxide (FeO) may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
- Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Iron Oxide should change into clean clothing promptly.
- Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed.
- Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Iron Oxide.
- Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use.
- If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided.
- On skin contact with Iron Oxide , immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical.
The following information is available from:
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Occupational Health Service PO Box 360 Trenton, NJ 08625- (609) 984- (609) 984-7407 (fax)
Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/
Industrial Hygiene Information Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of industrial hygiene survey data.
Medical Evaluation If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Service, who can help you find the information you need.
Public Presentations Presentations and educational programs on occupational health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, trade associations and other groups.
Right to Know Information Resources The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer questions about the identity and potential health effects of chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know Survey, education and training programs, labeling requirements, and general information regarding the Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to (609) 984-2202.
DEFINITIONS
ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals.
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to identify a specific chemical.
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which consists of the regulations of the United States government.
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes irreversible damage to human tissue or containers.
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their cancer-causing potential.
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database of the federal EPA.
A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve in another.
mg/m^3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
NAERG is the North American Emergency Response Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation incident, and to protect themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of the incident.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards to OSHA.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.
PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison Inhalation Hazards.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a measure of concentration by volume in air.
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases energy under certain conditions.
STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15- minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a work day.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by damaging the fetus.
TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit recommended by ACGIH.
The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
