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Alpha-alumina dust

Airborne crystalline alpha-alumina particulate, the main component of technical-grade alumina.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

eye irritationskin irritationrespiratory irritation

Evidence

The current NIOSH Pocket Guide describes alpha-alumina as a white, odorless crystalline powder, notes that alumina dusts may form explosive mixtures in air, and reports eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.

Source: html ↗ · saved source
Physical Description; Flammability; Exposure Routes; Symptoms · 1
Physical Description White, odorless, crystalline powder. Noncombustible solid, but dusts may form explosive mixtures in air. Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system.

NIOSH identifies irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory system from alpha-alumina exposure and lists total and respirable OSHA exposure limits.

Source: html ↗ · saved source
Exposure Limits; Exposure Routes; Symptoms; Target Organs · 1
OSHA PEL TWA 15 mg/m³ (total) TWA 5 mg/m³ (resp). Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system. Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system.

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