# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
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 | 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)
Personal Protection & Sanitation 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 dust and mist respirator Up to 20 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any dust and mist respirator except single-use and quarter-mask respirators/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator Up to 50 mg/m3: (APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust and mist 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 a high-efficiency particulate filter/(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 a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Fibrotic pneumoconiosis; irritation eyes
Target Organs Eyes, respiratory system, cardiovascular system
See also: INTRODUCTION