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Iron(III) oxide

RTECS #
NO7400000
CAS #
1309-37-1; 8011-97-0
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
October 2015
Molecular Weight
159.70
Molecular Formula
Fe2O3
Synonyms
11554 Red
Anchred standard
Anhydrous iron oxide
Anhydrous oxide of iron
Armenian bole
Bauxite residue
Black oxide of iron
Blended red oxides of iron
Burnt umber
Burntisland Red
C.I. 77491
C.I. Pigment Red 101
C.I. Pigment Red 101 and 102
C.I. Pigment Red 102
Calcotone Red
Caput mortuum
Colcothar
Colloidal ferric oxide
Crocus martis adstringens
Deanox
Deanox DNX Pigments
Eisenoxyd
English Red
Ferric oxide
Ferric oxide (colloidal)
Ferrugo
Iron oxide (ACGIH)
Iron oxide pigments
Iron Oxide Red
Iron Red
Iron sesquioxide
Jeweler's rouge
Levanox Red 130A
Light Red
Manufactured iron oxides
Mars Brown
Mars Red
Natural iron oxides
Natural Red Oxide
Ochre
Prussian Brown
Quick rouge
Raddle
Red Iron Oxide
Red ochre
Red oxide
Red oxide D3452
Red oxide D6984
Red oxide of iron
Rouge
Rouge (ACGIH:OSHA)
Rubigo
Sienna
Specular iron
Stone Red
Supra
Synthetic iron oxide
Venetian Red
Vitriol Red
Vogel's Iron Red
Yellow ferric oxide
Yellow oxide of iron

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
DNA Damagelung/human40 µg/disk/4HTOLED5 188,112,2009

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
subcutaneous/rat lowest published toxic dose: 135 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application
PBPHAW 14,47,1978

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/ppfInhibitor Concentration Low: 50 µg/well/2HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assaysTIVIEQ 27,1287,2013
In Vitro/ppfInhibitor Concentration Low: 100 µg/well/2HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.TIVIEQ 27,1287,2013
In Vitro/ppfInhibitor Concentration Low: 20 µg/well/24HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.TIVIEQ 27,1287,2013
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m3/12HBehavioral: Excitement

Behavioral: Fluid intake

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea
VCVN5* -,433,1989
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m3/60HBehavioral: Excitement

Behavioral: Fluid intake

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea
VCVN5* -,433,1989
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.8 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Emphysema

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation
TXCYAC 247,102,2008
intratracheal/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 10 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation
TOLED5 210,267,2012
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 250 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects
VCVN5* -,431,1989
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 12 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes
TOLED5 143,223,2003
subcutaneous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 30 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 500 µg/m3/24H/61D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase
GISAAA 50(7),73,1985
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 0.5 mg/m3/24H/60D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Changes in circulation

Liver: Other changes

Vascular: Measurement of regional blood flow
VCVN5* -,433,1989

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 5 mg/m3 (resp)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal NO EVIDENCEIMEMDT 1,29,1972
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 1,29,1972
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMSUDL 7,216,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWZKKOBW 78,99,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 533,153,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJTPAE7 19,1,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHBTME* ,177,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 727,72,2011

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARDNUISANCE PARTICULATESDTLWS* 3,27,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 3 ppm (5 mg/m3) (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg(Fe)/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 5 mg(Fe)/m3 (fume), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 5 mg/m3;KZW 10 mg/m3, resp, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 2 ppm (5 mg(Fe)/m3) (fume), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 3.5 mg(Fe)/m3, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 5 mg/m3, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 5 mg(Fe)/m3 (fume), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 6 mg/m3 (resp), SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 3.5 mg(Fe)/m3 (resp. dust), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 1 mg/m3 (resp. dust), 4 mg/m3 (total dust), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 10 mg/m3, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 5 mg/m3, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 10 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 20 mg/m3, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 5 mg(Fe)/m3 (dust and fume), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 10 mg/m3 (inspirable dust), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 3 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 5 mg/m3, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) fume 5 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 10 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 6 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 3.5 mg(Fe)/m3 (resp. dust), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 3 mg/m3, resp, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 10 mg/m3 (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 10 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 5 mg(Fe)/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 10 mg/m3 (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 10 mg/m3 (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 5 mg(Fe)/m3;short term exposure limit 10 mg(Fe)/m3, OCT2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 10 mg/m3 (rouge, inhal. dust), OCT2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 4 mg/m3 (rouge, resp. dust), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 15 mg/m3, total dustCFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, respirable fractionCFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 15 mg/m3, total dustCFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, respirable fractionCFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 15 mg/m3, total dustCFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, respirable fractionCFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO IRON OXIDE, dust and fume (as Fe)-air10H time-weighted average 5 mg/m3NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code M1463; Number of Industries 308; Total Number of Facilities 62557; Number of Occupations 185; Total Number of Employees Exposed 965275; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 139397
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code M1463; Number of Industries 265; Total Number of Facilities 41132; Number of Occupations 153; Total Number of Employees Exposed 483117

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Elements by ICP, 7300
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-125G
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018