NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

Tellurium

CAS
13494-80-9

Te

RTECS
WY2625000
Synonyms & Trade Names

Aurum paradoxum, Metallum problematum
DOT ID & Guide

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL*: TWA 0.1 mg/m3 [*Note: The REL also applies to other tellurium compounds (as Te) except Tellurium hexafluoride and Bismuth telluride.]
OSHA PEL*: TWA 0.1 mg/m3 [*Note: The PEL also applies to other tellurium compounds (as Te) except Tellurium hexafluoride and Bismuth telluride.]
IDLH
25 mg/m3 (as Te) See: 13494809
Conversion
Physical Description
Odorless, dark-gray to brown, amorphous powder or grayish-white, brittle solid.
MW: 127.6
BP: 1814°F
MLT: 842°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 6.24
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Combustible Solid
Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Oxidizers, chlorine, cadmium
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 7300, 7301, 7303, 9102; OSHA ID121
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
Skin: Soap wash promptly
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH/OSHA
Up to 0.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Up to 1 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 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 2.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
Up to 5 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 25 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, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
Garlic breath, sweating; dry mouth, metallic taste; drowsiness; anorexia, nausea, no sweating; dermatitis; in animals: central nervous system, red blood cell changes
Target Organs
Skin, central nervous system, blood
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0986