Common Name: Aluminum CAS Number: 7429-90-5 DOT Number: UN 1396 Date: January, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Aluminum powder can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to fine dust can cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) with symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. * Exposure to Aluminum powder can irritate the eyes. Contact with particles can scratch the eyes. * Aluminum powder can be flammable and explosive. The hazard increases with the amount of Aluminum present, fineness of the powder, and high humidity. IDENTIFICATION Aluminum is a silvery white metallic solid. It may be present as a powder. It is mined from bauxite and has many uses in construction and industry. It may be present in metal alloys and is used in the paper and printing industries, in medicines, electronic, packaging and paints. REASON FOR CITATION * Aluminum is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, EPA and NFPA. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * 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 OSHA 1910.20. * 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 ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limits for Aluminum and its compounds (measured as Aluminum) averaged over an 8 hour workshift are as follows. Aluminum metal or oxide: 10mg/m3 Pyro powders: 5mg/m3 Welding fumes: 5mg/m3 Soluble aluminum salts: 2mg/m3 Aluminum alkyls (noc): 2mg/m3 (noc = not otherwise classified) 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 work shift. * 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 Aluminum 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. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Aluminum: * Contact with particles can scratch the eyes. The dust can irritate the eyes. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Aluminum and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * There is evidence of an increase in bladder, lung and other cancers among Aluminum smelter workers. The increase appears to be due to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, not to Aluminum compounds. Reproductive Hazard * Aluminum salts such as Aluminum Chloride and Aluminum Nitrate are toxic to the animal fetus and cause fetal damage. Other Long Term Effects * Exposure to fine dust can cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) with symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. * Very high levels of Aluminum may damage the brain. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. * Chest x ray should be considered. 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 OSHA 1910.20. 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. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Aluminum 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 Aluminum. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Aluminum at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Aluminum is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Aluminum. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dust proof goggles when working with powders or dust, unless full face piece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Aluminum does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 2 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator equipped with particulate (dust/fume/mist) filters. More protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than by a half mask respirator, and even greater protection is provided by a powered air purifying respirator. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Aluminum, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for higher exposures exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Aluminum you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Protect containers against physical damage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from ACIDS, CAUSTICS, CHLORINATED HYDRO CARBONS, and COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS. * Keep Aluminum DRY. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Aluminum is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. * Wherever bulk or finely powdered Aluminum is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Aluminum DOT Number: UN 1396 DOT Emergency Guide code: 40 CAS Number: 7429-90-5 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 1 REACTIVITY - 1 ---------------------------------------- POWDER MAY FORM EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WITH AIR DO NOT USE WATER ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Aluminum powder is FLAMMABLE and can form an EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WITH AIR. If moisture is present the hazard is greater. * FIRE MAY RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED. * Use sand, soda ash, lime or dry chemical extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Aluminum is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * DO NOT USE WATER to clean up spilled Aluminum powder. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Aluminum as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Insoluble Chemical Name Aluminum ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the earth's crust. It is used in the manufacture of many products, such as aircraft, utensils, electrical conductors, and dental fillings. It is also used in combination with other chemicals to serve many purposes such as water purification, medicinals, catalysts, dyes, baking powder, fireproofing and tanning. Because of its frequent use and common occurrence, aluminum enters the environment from point and non-point sources. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Aluminum has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life and high acute toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of aluminum to plants or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Aluminum has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of aluminum to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Aluminum solubility in water is dependent upon pH - as pH increases or decreases from near neutrality, solubility increases. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Aluminum is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. Aluminum will not accumulate in fish tissues. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.