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Mineral wool fiber

Synonyms & Trade Names
Manmade mineral fibers, Rock wool, Slag wool, Synthetic vitreous fibers [Note: Produced by blowing steam or air through molten rock (rock wool) or various furnace slags that are by-products of metal smelting or refining processes (slag wool).]
CAS No.
RTECS No.
DOT ID & Guide
Formula
Conversion
IDLH
N.D.
See: IDLH INDEX
Exposure Limits
NIOSH REL
TWA 3 fibers/cm3 (fibers with diameter < or = 3.5 µm & length > or = 10 µm.) TWA 5 mg/m3 (total)
OSHA PEL
TWA 15 mg/m3 (total) TWA 5 mg/m3 (resp)
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 0500 , 7400
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Physical Description
Typically, a mineral "wool" with diameters >0.5 µm & >1.5 µm in length.
Molecular Weight
varies
Boiling Point
NA
Melting Point
?
Solubility
Insoluble
Vapor Pressure
0 mmHg (approx)
Ionization Potential
NA
Specific Gravity
?
Flash Point
NA
Upper Explosive Limit
NA
Lower Explosive Limit
NA
Noncombustible Fibers
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
None reported
Exposure Routes
inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; dyspnea (breathing difficulty)
Target Organs
Eyes, skin, respiratory system
Personal Protection/Sanitation
(See protection codes)
Skin:Prevent skin contact
Eyes:Prevent eye contact
Wash skin:Daily
Remove:No recommendation
Change:Daily
First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye:Irrigate immediately

Breathing:Fresh air
Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

Up to 5X REL:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.

Up to 10X REL:
(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 25X REL:
(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 50X REL:


(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 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 1000X REL:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is 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

See also
Page last reviewed: October 30, 2019