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 Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
DNA Damage	lung/human	40 µg/disk/4H	TOLED5 188,112,2009

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
subcutaneous/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 135 mg/kg	Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application	PBPHAW 14,47,1978

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
In Vitro/ppf	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 50 µg/well/2H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	TIVIEQ 27,1287,2013
In Vitro/ppf	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 100 µg/well/2H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TIVIEQ 27,1287,2013
In Vitro/ppf	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 20 µg/well/24H	In 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/m³/12H	Behavioral: Excitement Behavioral: Fluid intake Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea	VCVN5* -,433,1989
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m³/60H	Behavioral: Excitement Behavioral: Fluid intake Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea	VCVN5* -,433,1989
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 0.8 mg/kg	Lung, 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/kg	Lung, 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/kg	Lung, 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/kg	Lung, 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/kg		HBAMAK 4,1289,1935

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 500 µg/m³/24H/61D- continuous	Brain 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- continuous	Brain and Coverings: Changes in circulation Liver: Other changes Vascular: Measurement of regional blood flow	VCVN5* -,433,1989

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
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 carcinogen	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal NO EVIDENCE	IMEMDT 1,29,1972
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 1,29,1972
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 3	IMSUDL 7,216,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ZKKOBW 78,99,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 533,153,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		JTPAE7 19,1,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		HBTME* ,177,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 727,72,2011

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD	NUISANCE PARTICULATES	DTLWS* 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 Egypt	time-weighted average 3 ppm (5 mg/m³) (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 0.1 mg(Fe)/m³, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 5 mg(Fe)/m³ (fume), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	MAK-TMW 5 mg/m³;KZW 10 mg/m³, resp, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 2 ppm (5 mg(Fe)/m³) (fume), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 3.5 mg(Fe)/m³, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	time-weighted average 5 mg/m³, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VME 5 mg(Fe)/m³ (fume), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY	time-weighted average 6 mg/m³ (resp), SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	time-weighted average 3.5 mg(Fe)/m³ (resp. dust), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	Occupational Exposure Limit 1 mg/m³ (resp. dust), 4 mg/m³ (total dust), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 5 mg/m³, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³;short term exposure limit 20 mg/m³, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 5 mg(Fe)/m³ (dust and fume), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³ (inspirable dust), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 3 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 5 mg/m³, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND	MAC(time-weighted average) fume 5 mg/m³, MAC(short term exposure limit) 10 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	time-weighted average 6 mg/m³, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	time-weighted average 3.5 mg(Fe)/m³ (resp. dust), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	MAK-week 3 mg/m³, resp, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILAND	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³ (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS	MAC-TGG 10 mg/m³, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS	MAC-TGG 5 mg(Fe)/m³, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³ (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³ (fume), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 5 mg(Fe)/m³;short term exposure limit 10 mg(Fe)/m³, OCT2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³ (rouge, inhal. dust), OCT2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-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 dust	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	8H time-weighted average 5 mg/m³, respirable fraction	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 15 mg/m³, total dust	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 5 mg/m³, respirable fraction	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	8H time-weighted average 15 mg/m³, total dust	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	8H time-weighted average 5 mg/m³, respirable fraction	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO IRON OXIDE, dust and fume (as Fe)-air	10H time-weighted average 5 mg/m³	NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard 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 1974	Hazard 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

Organization	Reference
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

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health