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Magnesite dust

Dust from magnesite, a magnesium-carbonate mineral encountered in mining and processing.

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

skin irritationmucous-membrane irritationphysical irritation

Evidence

The NIOSH/OSHA review states that excess workplace magnesite exposure can cause skin or mucous-membrane irritation and identifies total and respirable particulate exposure limits.

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MAGNESITE; Health Effects; Final Rule · 2
Exposure to excess levels of magnesite in the workplace causes skin or mucous membrane irritation resulting either from contact with the magnesite itself or from the rigorous cleansing procedures necessary for removing the dust.

NIOSH’s mining survey documents magnesite mines and occupational-health information collected for the magnesite commodity.

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page 3 · Introduction · 1
This particular report provides NOHSM data for the magnesite commodity, which was surveyed during September and November, 1984. Three magnesite mines were surveyed.

The current NIOSH Pocket Guide sets magnesite exposure limits at 10 mg/m³ total and 5 mg/m³ respirable, describes a white odorless crystalline powder, and reports eye, skin, and respiratory irritation with cough.

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Exposure Limits; Physical Description; Exposure Routes; Symptoms · 1
NIOSH REL TWA 10 mg/m³ (total) TWA 5 mg/m³ (resp). Physical Description White, odorless, crystalline powder. Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; cough.

The NIOSH Pocket Guide lists inhalation and skin or eye contact as exposure routes for magnesite and identifies eye, skin, and respiratory-system irritation and cough as symptoms.

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Exposure Routes / Symptoms / Target Organs · 1
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; cough. Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system.

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