| Agent Name |
Silicon carbide |
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| CAS Number |
409-21-2 |
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| Formula |
C-Si |
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| Major Category |
Mineral Dusts |
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| Synonyms |
Carbon silicide; Carborundum; Silicon monocarbide; [NIOSH] Crystolon; Carbonite; Electroln; [ACGIH] |
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| Category |
Other Mineral Dusts |
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| Description |
Yellow to green to bluish-black, iridescent crystals; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as an abrasive and refractory material; Produced in furnaces containing petroleum coke and crystalline silica at a temperature of >2200 degrees C for 36 hours; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Production workers loading and unloading furnaces are exposed to carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, crystalline silica, and fibrous and nonfibrous silicon carbide particles. [Rom, p. 534-5] Workers in production and manufacturing, e.g., abrasive products industry, are exposed to varying quantities of fibers (or "whiskers") that have dimensions similar to amphibole asbestos fibers. Nonfibrous particles have low to very low toxic effects on lung tissue. Silicon carbide fibers, on the other hand, can cause lung fibrosis, lung cancer, and possibly mesothelioma. Silicon carbide fibers should be counted and controlled in the same manner as asbestos fibers. [ACGIH] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| Bioaccumulates |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
10 mg/m3( inhalable fraction), 3 mg/m3(respirable fraction)[nonfibrous forms], 0.1 respirable fibers/cc[fibrous forms] |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
15 mg/m3(total dust), 5 mg/m3(respirable fraction) |
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| MAK |
1.5 mg/m3, respirable fraction (nonfibrous) |
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| Explanatory Notes |
mp = 2700 degrees C (sublimes and then decomposes); [ACGIH] |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Fibrogenic |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: SILICON CARBIDE
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