NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

Talc (containing no asbestos and less than 1% quartz)

CAS
14807-96-6

Mg3Si4O10(OH)2

RTECS
WW2710000
Synonyms & Trade Names

Hydrous magnesium silicate, Steatite talc
DOT ID & Guide

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL: TWA 2 mg/m3 (resp)
OSHA PEL†: TWA 20 mppcf
IDLH
1000 mg/m3 See: 14807966
Conversion
Physical Description
Odorless, white powder.
MW: Varies
BP: ?
MLT: 1652 to 1832°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 2.70-2.80
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Noncombustible Solid
Incompatibilities & Reactivities

None reported
Measurement Methods
NIOSH P&CAM355 (III)
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
(See protection)
Skin: No recommendation
Eyes: No recommendation
Wash skin: No recommendation
Remove: No recommendation
Change: No recommendation

First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately

Breathing: Fresh air

Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH
Up to 10 mg/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Up to 20 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator
Up to 50 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
Up to 100 mg/m3:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and a high-efficiency particulate filter
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Up to 1000 mg/m3:
(APF = 1000) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters./Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Important additional information about respirator selection
Exposure Routes
inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
Fibrotic pneumoconiosis; irritation eyes
Target Organs
Eyes, respiratory system, cardiovascular system
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0329   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0207