Common Name: Aluminum Oxide CAS Number: 1344-28-1 DOT Number: None Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Aluminum Oxide can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to Aluminum Oxide can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. * Repeated exposure to high levels of Aluminum Oxide dust may cause scarring of the lungs ("pulmonary fibrosis") with shortness of breath. This condition can be fatal. IDENTIFICATION Aluminum Oxide is a white, crystalline (sand like) powder. It is used as an adsorbent, in abrasive and aluminum manufacturing, in paper, spark plugs, fluxes and heat resistant fibers, and in chromatographic analysis. REASON FOR CITATION * Aluminum Oxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by EPA and ACGIH. * 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 limit for Aluminum metal and oxide is 10 mg/m3 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 Aluminum 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. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Aluminum Oxide: * Exposure to Aluminum Oxide can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Aluminum Oxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Aluminum Oxide has been tested and has not been shown to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Aluminum Oxide has been tested and has not been shown to affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure to large amounts of Aluminum Oxide dust may damage the lungs, leading to pneumonia and to scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis), with shortness of breath. This condition can be fatal. MEDICAL Medical Testing If there has been a long history of high exposure, or if lung symptoms develop, a chest x ray and pulmonary function tests are recommended. 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 Oxide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Aluminum Oxide. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Aluminum Oxide at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Aluminum Oxide is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. 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 Oxide. 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 10 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 Oxide, 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 high 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. Common Name: Aluminum Oxide DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 1344-28-1 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 1 Not Rated REACTIVITY 1 Not Rated ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam 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 Oxide is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Aluminum Oxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Aluminum Oxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. * Aluminum Oxide is not compatible with hot chlorinated rubber. 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 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 OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Aluminum Oxide Other Names and Formulations: Alumina; Aloxite; Aluminite 37. ------------------------------------------ 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 oxide occurs naturally in the environment in the minerals bauxite, baerites, boehmite, corundum, diaspore and gibbsite. Aluminum oxide is a white solid. It is used as an absorbent, desiccant, abrasive, and filler for paints and varnishes; in the manufacture of alloys, ceramic materials, electrical gems; and as a catalyst for chemical reactions. Aluminum oxide occurs naturally in the aquatic environment and can be added to by discharges from industry or spills. 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 oxide has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life, but its toxicity will be increased under alkaline conditions. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of aluminum oxide to plants, birds, 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 oxide has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life, but its toxicity will be increased under alkaline conditions. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of aluminum oxide to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Aluminum oxide is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1 milligram or less will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Aluminum oxide 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 oxide will not accumulate in edible tissues of aquatic species that are consumed by humans. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.