ASBESTOS, ALL FORMS | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Chemical Identification
CAS #	1332-21-4, [12172-67-7 (Ferroactinolite asbestos), 17068-78-9 (Anthophyllite asbestos), 12172-73-5 (Amosite asbestos), 12001-29-5 (Chrysotile asbestos), 12001-28-4 (Crocidolite asbestos), 14567-73-8 (Tremolite asbestos)]
Formula	chrysotile Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ crocidolite Na₂Fe₃ ²⁺Fe₂ ³⁺Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ Amosite (Mg,Fe)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂₂ tremolite-actinolite series Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ anthophyllite (Mg,Fe)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Synonyms	actinolite; Amosite (cummingtonite-grunerite); anthophyllite, chrysotile; crocidolite (riebeckite); tremolite

Physical Properties
Physical description	White or greenish (chrysotile), blue (crocidolite), or gray-green (amosite) fibrous, odorless solids.
Boiling point		Molecular weight	varies
Freezing point/melting point	dehydroxylates at 550-750°C (1,022-1,382°F)	Vapor pressure	0 mmHg (approx)
Flash point		Vapor density
Specific gravity		Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)		Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating		NFPA fire rating
NFPA reactivity rating		NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	9020
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	Mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns (25 mm), with electrically conductive 50 mm extension cowl [GCS25080]
Sampling time^*	30-480 min (120 recommended)
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	25-2400 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.5-2.5 L/min, 0.5-5.0 L/min (Maritime)
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*	48 L
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*	1.6 L/min
Analytical method instruments	PCM
Method reference	OSHA ID-160 (fully validated)
Notes	Adjust to give 100-1300 fiber/mm. Do not request multiple analytes. Do not overload. If dust is high, reduce air volume to avoid overloading. A minimum of 2 blanks or 10% of the number of samples are required for every set.
Special requirements

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media	Wipe sampling is not recommended - Contact SLTC if there is a question
Bulk Method	See OSHA ID-191 - take samples using 20 mL scintillation vials. Do not use plastic bags. Send to SLTC in separate packaging from air samples.

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	0.1 fiber/cm³, 1.0 fiber/cm³ [Excursion Limit 30 min]	REL-TWA	Lowest feasible concentration. 0.1 fiber/cm³ for fibers >5 µm	TLV-TWA		PEL-TWA	0.1 fiber/cm³
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL	1 fiber/cm³
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1001, Asbestos.		Notes: CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A, NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens. Also see Appendix C, Supplementary Exposure Limits.		Notes: Visit the ACGIH TLV site for specific data See footnote (F) for additional information		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH
Carcinogenic classifications: EPA-A, IARC-1, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-K, OSHA-Ca, TLV-A1		Notes: Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Asbestos

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Asbestos

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Asbestos, all forms. See annual publication for most recent information.
EPA: Hazard Summary - Asbestos
ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Asbestos, All Forms. See annual publication for most recent information.
Camargo MC, Stayner LT, Straif K, Reina M, Al-Alem U, Demers PA, Landrigan PJ: Occupational exposure to asbestos and ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect. 119(9):1211-7, September 2011.
Clin B, Morlais F, Launoy G, Guizard AV, Dubois B, Bouvier V, Desoubeaux N, Marquignon MF, Raffaelli C, Paris C, Galateau-Salle F, Guittet L, Letourneux M: Cancer incidence within a cohort occupationally exposed to asbestos: a study of dose-response relationships. Occup Environ Med. 68(11):832-6, November 2011.
Harding AH, Darnton A, Wegerdt J, McElvenny D: Mortality among British asbestos workers undergoing regular medical examinations (1971-2005). Occup Environ Med. 66(7):487-95, July 2009.
NIOSH: Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Asbestos. 1988.
OSHA: Occupational Exposure to Asbestos. 1994.
Ramroth H, Ahrens W, Dietz A, Becher H: Occupational asbestos exposure as a risk factor for laryngeal carcinoma in a population-based case-control study from Germany. Am J Ind Med. 54(7):510-4, July 2011.