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ASBESTOS

9 - Miscellaneous hazardous material
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 1332-21-4
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Class 9
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Asbestosexternal_link none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Any of a group of impure magnesium silicate minerals that occur as slender, strong, flexible fibers. Colors range from white to gray, green, brown. Resistant to fire and most solvents. Breathing of asbestos dust causes asbestosis and lung cancer. Used as a heat resistant material, in cement, furnace bricks, and in brake linings.

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Some may burn but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Some may be transported hot. For UN3508, Capacitor, asymmetric, be aware of possible short circuiting as this product is transported in a charged state. Polymeric beads, expandable (UN2211) may evolve flammable vapours. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Asbestosexternal link:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Asbestosis (chronic exposure): dyspnea (breathing difficulty), interstitial fibrosis, restricted pulmonary function, finger clubbing; irritation eyes; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Target Organs: Respiratory system, eyes

Cancer Site: Lung cancer (NIOSH, 2023)
Reactivity Profile
ASBESTOS minerals are generally unreactive.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent dust cloud. For Asbestos, avoid inhalation of dust. Cover spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Do not clean up or dispose of, except under supervision of a specialist.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL SPILL: Pick up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Asbestosexternal link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: DAILY - The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Asbestosexternal link:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Breathing: FRESH AIR - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Other measures are usually unnecessary. (NIOSH, 2023)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • [Mg6(Si4O10)(OH)8], chrysotile
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 1112°F (Decomposes) (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mmHg (approx) (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: Decomposes (NIOSH, 2023)
Molecular Weight: Varies (NIOSH, 2023)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Asbestos, includes: (Amosite, 12172-73-5, Ascarite, 81133-20-2, Chrysotile, 1332-21-4) 0.05 mg/m3 0.55 mg/m3 3.3 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Asbestos (friable) ††† 1332-21-4 1 pound 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • ACTINOLITE
  • ACTINOLITE ASBESTOS
  • AMOSITE (CUMMINGTONITE-GRUNERITE)
  • ANTHOPHYLLITE
  • ANTHOPHYLLITE ASBESTOS
  • ASBESTOS
  • ASBESTOS (FRIABLE)
  • ASBESTOS FIBER
  • ASBESTOS, AMPHIBOLE
  • ASBESTOS, CHRYSOTILE
  • AT 7-1
  • BK 6-20
  • BP 3-50
  • BP 5-65
  • CALIDRIA HPP
  • CALIDRIA R-G 244
  • CAREY 4T
  • CHLOROBESTOS 25
  • CROCIDOLITE (RIEBECKITE)
  • FAPM 410-120
  • FERODO C3C
  • FIBERS, MINERAL, ASBESTOS
  • HPO (MINERAL)
  • K 6-20
  • LITAFLEX
  • M 3-60
  • M 4-5
  • M 5-60
  • M 6-40
  • MOUNTAIN CORK
  • MOUNTAIN LEATHER
  • MOUNTAIN WOOD
  • MTM
  • 7N05
  • P 5-50
  • PRZH 2-30
  • 7R-F9
  • 7RF10
  • SEPIOLEX 3
  • SEPIOLEX 5
  • SM 1 (MINERAL)
  • SM 2 (MINERAL)
  • T 135
  • 4T04
  • TREMOLITE
  • TREMOLITE ASBESTOS

Version 3.0.0