| Agent Name |
Zirconium and compounds |
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| CAS Number |
7440-67-7, varies |
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| Formula |
Zr, varies |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Zirconium metal: Synonyms of zirconium compounds vary depending upon the specific compound; [NIOSH] UN1358; UN1932; UN2008; UN2009; UN2858; UN1308 |
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| Category |
Metals, Inorganic Compounds |
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| Description |
Metal: Soft, malleable, ductile, solid or gray to gold, amorphous; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
The metal is used in nuclear energy technology, photoflash bulbs, vacuum tubes, and steel manufacturing (as a scavenger). Zirconium oxide is used in ceramic colorants, metal hardening (platinum and ruthenium), and as a radiopaque material for diagnostic x-rays. Zirconium chloride is used in textiles (water repellant) and tanning. Zircon is a natural zirconium silicate used to make refractories and other ceramics. It is also used as an abrasive. Water soluble zirconium compounds are used in cosmetics. [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Other than the skin and respiratory irritant effects of zirconium chloride, work-related diseases caused by zirconium have not been documented. [ACGIH] "Repeated inhalation of zirconium tetrachloride mist by dogs for 2 months at 6 mg/m3 as zirconium caused slight decreases in hemoglobin and in erythrocyte counts, with some increases in mortality over that of controls; these effects may have been due to the liberation of hydrogen chloride." [NIOSH Guidelines for Chemical Hazards] "Generally considered to be of low toxicity." Zirconium chloride (ZrCl4) can cause acute pneumonitis. No lung changes were found in 32 workers with 1-17 years of exposure to zirconium metal reactor parts. A lens grinder who mixed zirconium oxide powder and polished optical lenses developed interstitial fibrosis after a latency of 15 years. [Harber, p. 479, 487, 506] |
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| Reference Link |
NIOSH Guidelines for Chemical Hazards |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
5 mg/m3, as Zr |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
10 mg/m3, as Zr |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
5 mg/m3, as Zr (compounds) |
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| MAK |
1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction(metal and inorg. compds.) |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 mg/m3, as Zr |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
The available toxicological data indicate that zirconium compounds possess a low order of toxicity. The chosen IDLH has been based on the citation by NIOSH [1976] that a 30�minute exposure to 500 mg/m3 of zirconium nitrate is the lowest concentration of this substance which has been shown to be lethal to rats [Mogilevskaya 1967]. |
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| Explanatory Notes |
"Metal: Combustible, but solid form is difficult to ignite; however, powder form may ignite SPONTANEOUSLY and can continue burning under water." [NIOSH] The Guide from Emergency Response Guidebook is for "zirconium powder, dry." |
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| Reference Link |
NIOSH Pocket Guide |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ZIRCONIUM
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