Department of Labor Seal photos representing the workforce - digital imagery© copyright 2001 photodisc, inc.
Department of Labor Seal www.osha.gov   [skip navigational links] Search    Advanced Search | A-Z Index
Emery (Total Dust) Chemical Sampling Information
Emery (Total Dust)

General Description
    Synonyms: Aluminum oxide, Aluminum trioxide, Corundum, Impure corundum, Natural aluminum oxide [Note: Emery is an impure variety of Al2O3 which may contain small impurities of iron, magnesium & silica. Corundum is natural Al2O]

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1016

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 12415-34-8

    Other Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 1302-74-5 (corundum)

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: GN0231000

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Emery: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 15 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 15 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 10 mg/m3 TWA; The value is for particulate matter containing no asbestos and <1% crystalline silica

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix D - Substances With No Established RELs
Health Factors
    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system

    Health Effects: Nuisance particulates (HE19)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system

    Notes: 1) Elemental analysis of area and personal total emery dust samples at a Mexican manufacturing facility found large amounts of aluminum, magnesium and silicon, and lower amounts of manganese, iron, zinc, nickel, vanadium, chromium and bromine. 2) Powdered silicon carbide (CAS No. 409-21-2) may also be called "emery" by its manufacturers.

    Date Last Revised: 09/26/2005

    Literature Basis:
  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Emery.
  • Granados-Correa, F., Garcia-Sosa, I. and Iturbe-Garcia, J.L.: Exposure to total and respirable minerals in an abrasive manufacturing facility. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 57(8): 753-755, 1996.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA * All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 Safety and Health
 Topics
 
  Chemical Sampling Information:
  Emery (Total Dust)
  General Description
  Exposure Limits
  Health Factors
  Monitoring
     
 
 

Page last updated: 04/06/2006

Back to Top Back to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.gov

Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210