| Agent Name |
Silicon |
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| CAS Number |
7440-21-3 |
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| Formula |
Si |
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| Major Category |
Mineral Dusts |
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| Synonyms |
Elemental silicon; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Other Mineral Dusts |
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| Description |
Black to gray, lustrous, needle-like crystals. [Note: The amorphous form is a dark-brown powder.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used to synthesize silanes and silicones; to produce ferrosilicon and silicon copper alloys; and to manufacture transistors, diodes, and semiconductors. [ACGIH] Does not occur free in nature, but is found in silicon dioxide (silica) & in various silicates. |
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| Comments |
There is little evidence that silicon dust can cause adverse pulmonary effects "when exposures are kept under reasonable control." [ACGIH] Documentation and TLV withdrawn in 2006 because of insufficient data; [ACGIH] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
15 mg/m3(total dust), 5 mg/m3(respirable fraction) |
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| Explanatory Notes |
The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "silicon powder, amorphous." Adopted Documentation and TLVs were withdrawn in 2006 due to insufficient data. [ACGIH] |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: SILICON
|
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