Dust entry

Tungsten powder dust

Airborne particulate from tungsten metal or other insoluble tungsten compounds during occupational 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

eye irritationskin irritationrespiratory irritationdiffuse pulmonary fibrosisloss of appetitenauseacoughblood changescombustible-dust hazard

Evidence

The NIOSH Pocket Guide lists inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact routes for tungsten and reports eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, loss of appetite, nausea, cough, and blood changes; it warns that finely divided tungsten powder may ignite spontaneously.

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Physical hazard, symptoms, and target organs · 1

Combustible in the form of finely divided powder; may ignite spontaneously. Exposure Routes: inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms: irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; diffuse pulmonary fibrosis; loss of appetite, nausea, cough; blood changes.

Controls

closed powder handling
ignition-source control
local exhaust ventilation
exposure monitoring
skin and eye protection
appropriate particulate respiratory protection