# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Tungsten | CAS 7440-33-7
W | RTECS YO7175000
Synonyms & Trade Names Tungsten metal, Wolfram | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL*: TWA 5 mg/m3 ST 10 mg/m3 [*Note: The REL also applies to other insoluble tungsten compounds (as W).]
OSHA PEL†: none
IDLH N.D. | Conversion
Physical Description Hard, brittle, steel-gray to tin-white solid.
MW: 183.9 | BP: 10,701°F | MLT: 6170°F | Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx) | IP: NA |  | Sp.Gr: 19.3
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA |
Combustible in the form of finely divided powder; may ignite spontaneously.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Bromine trifluoride, chlorine trifluoride, fluorine, iodine pentafluoride
Measurement Methods NIOSH 7074, 7300; OSHA ID213
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 Skin: Soap wash Breathing: Fresh air Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH Up to 50 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece 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 = 10) Any air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; diffuse pulmonary fibrosis; loss of appetite, nausea, cough; blood changes
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, blood
See also: INTRODUCTION