What is antimony?

(Pronounced 2nìtÖ-m1⁄2în¶)

Antimony is a silvery-white metal that is found in the

earth’s crust. Antimony ores are mined and then mixed with

other metals to form antimony alloys or combined with

oxygen to form antimony oxide.

Little antimony is currently mined in the United States. It

is brought into this country from other countries for processing. However, there are companies in the United States that

produce antimony as a by-product of smelting lead and other

metals.

 Antimony isn't used alone because it breaks easily, but

when mixed into alloys, it is used in lead storage batteries,

solder, sheet and pipe metal, bearings, castings, and pewter.

Antimony oxide is added to textiles and plastics to prevent

them from catching fire. It is also used in paints, ceramics,

and fireworks, and as enamels for plastics, metal, and glass.

What happens to antimony when it enters

the environment?

q Antimony is released to the environment from natural

sources and from industry.

q In the air, antimony is attached to very small particles that

may stay in the air for many days.

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about antimony. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of

summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. This information is important because

this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose,

the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs September 1995

SUMMARY: Exposure to antimony occurs in the workplace or from skin contact

with soil at hazardous waste sites. Breathing high levels of antimony for a long time

can irritate the eyes and lungs, and can cause problems with the lungs, heart, and

stomach. This chemical has been found in at least 403 of 1,416 National Priorities

List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

q Most antimony ends up in soil, where it attaches strongly

to particles that contain iron, manganese, or aluminum.

q Antimony is found at low levels in some rivers, lakes, and

streams.

How might I be exposed to antimony?

q Because antimony is found naturally in the environment,

the general population is exposed to low levels of it

every day, primarily in food, drinking water, and air.

q It may be found in air near industries that process or

release it, such as smelters, coal-fired plants, and refuse

incinerators.

q In polluted areas containing high levels of antimony, it

may be found in the air, water, and soil.

q Workers in industries that process it or use antimony ore

may be exposed to higher levels.

How can antimony affect my health?

Exposure to antimony at high levels can result in a

variety of adverse health effects.

Breathing high levels for a long time can irritate your

eyes and lungs and can cause heart and lung problems,

stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers.

In short-term studies, animals that breathed very high

levels of antimony died. Animals that breathed high levels

ANTIMONY

CAS # 7440-36-0

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ATSDR can tell you

where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses

resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html

had lung, heart, liver, and kidney damage. In long-term

studies, animals that breathed very low levels of antimony

had eye irritation, hair loss, lung damage, and heart problems.

Problems with fertility were also noted. In animal studies,

problems with fertility have been seen when rats breathed

very high levels of antimony for a few months.

Ingesting large doses of antimony can cause vomiting.

We don't know what other effects may be caused by ingesting

it. Long-term animal studies have reported liver damage and

blood changes when animals ingested antimony. Antimony

can irritate the skin if it is left on it.

Antimony can have beneficial effects when used for

medical reasons. It has been used as a medicine to treat

people infected with parasites.

How likely is antimony to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services, the

International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified

antimony as to its human carcinogenicity.

Lung cancer has been observed in some studies of rats

that breathed high levels of antimony. No human studies are

available. We don't know whether antimony will cause cancer

in people.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve

been exposed to antimony?

Tests are available to measure antimony levels in the

body. Antimony can be measured in the urine, feces, and

blood for several days after exposure. However, these tests

cannot tell you how much antimony you have been exposed

to or whether you will experience any health effects. Some

tests are not usually performed in most doctors' offices and

may require special equipment to conduct them.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA allows 0.006 parts of antimony per million

parts of drinking water (0.006 ppm). The EPA requires that

discharges or spills into the environment of 5,000 pounds or

more of antimony be reported.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) has set an occupational exposure limit of 0.5 milligrams of antimony per cubic meter of air (0.5 mg/m3

) for an

8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists (ACGIH) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) currently recommend the

same guidelines for the workplace as OSHA.

Glossary

Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.

CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.

Ingestion: Taking food or drink into your body.

Long-term: Lasting one year or more.

Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.

Parasite: An organism living in or on another organism.

ppm: Parts per million.

Short-term: Lasting 14 days or less.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

1992. Toxicological profile for antimony. Atlanta, GA: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health

Service.

ANTIMONY

CAS # 7440-36-0
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine ToxFAQsTM September 2005

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about arsenic. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to higher than average levels of arsenic occur mostly

in the workplace, near hazardous waste sites, or in areas with high natural

levels. At high levels, inorganic arsenic can cause death. Exposure to lower

levels for a long time can cause a discoloration of the skin and the appearance

of small corns or warts. Arsenic has been found in at least 784 of the 1,662

National Priority List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA).

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in

the earth's crust. In the environment, arsenic is combined

with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic

compounds. Arsenic in animals and plants combines with

carbon and hydrogen to form organic arsenic compounds.

Inorganic arsenic compounds are mainly used to preserve

wood. Copper chromated arsenic (CCA) is used to make

"pressure-treated" lumber. CCA is no longer used in the

U.S. for residential uses; it is still used in industrial

applications. Organic arsenic compounds are used as

pesticides, primarily on cotton plants.

What happens to arsenic when it enters the

environment?

‘ Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and minerals and it

therefore may enter the air, water, and land from wind-blown

dust and may get into water from runoff and leaching.

‘ Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can

only change its form.

‘ Rain and snow remove arsenic dust particles from the air.

‘ Many common arsenic compounds can dissolve in water.

Most of the arsenic in water will ultimately end up in soil or

sediment.

‘ Fish and shellfish can accumulate arsenic; most of this

arsenic is in an organic form called arsenobetaine that is

much less harmful.

How might I be exposed to arsenic?

‘ Ingesting small amounts present in your food and water

or breathing air containing arsenic.

‘ Breathing sawdust or burning smoke from wood treated

with arsenic.

‘ Living in areas with unusually high natural levels of

arsenic in rock.

‘ Working in a job that involves arsenic production or use,

such as copper or lead smelting, wood treating, or pesticide

application.

How can arsenic affect my health?

Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can give you a

sore throat or irritated lungs.

Ingesting very high levels of arsenic can result in death.

Exposure to lower levels can cause nausea and vomiting,

decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal

heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of

"pins and needles" in hands and feet.

Ingesting or breathing low levels of inorganic arsenic for a

long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the

appearance of small "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles,

and torso.

Skin contact with inorganic arsenic may cause redness and

swelling.

ARSENIC

CAS # 7440-38-2
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone:

1-888-422-8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR

can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat

illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

‘ If you live in an area with high levels of arsenic in water

or soil, you should use cleaner sources of water and limit

contact with soil.

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve

been exposed to arsenic?

There are tests available to measure arsenic in your blood,

urine, hair, and fingernails. The urine test is the most reliable

test for arsenic exposure within the last few days. Tests on

hair and fingernails can measure exposure to high levels of

arsenic over the past 6-12 months. These tests can

determine if you have been exposed to above-average levels

of arsenic. They cannot predict how the arsenic levels in

your body will affect your health.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA has set limits on the amount of arsenic that

industrial sources can release to the environment and has

restricted or cancelled many of the uses of arsenic in

pesticides. EPA has set a limit of 0.01 parts per million (ppm)

for arsenic in drinking water.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 micrograms of

arsenic per cubic meter of workplace air (10 μg/m3) for 8 hour

shifts and 40 hour work weeks.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

2005. Toxicological Profile for Arsenic (Draft for Public

Comment). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Public Health

and Human Services, Public Health Service.

ARSENIC

CAS # 7440-38-2

Organic arsenic compounds are less toxic than inorganic

arsenic compounds. Exposure to high levels of some organic

arsenic compounds may cause similar effects as inorganic

arsenic.

How likely is arsenic to cause cancer?

Several studies have shown that ingestion of inorganic

arsenic can increase the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the

lungs, bladder, liver, kidney and prostate. Inhalation of

inorganic arsenic can cause increase risk of lung cancer.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has

determined that inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),

and the EPA have determined that inorganic arsenic is

carcinogenic to humans.

How can arsenic affect children?

There is also some evidence that suggests that long-term

exposure to arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores.

There is some information suggesting that children may be

less efficient at converting inorganic arsenic to the less

harmful organic forms. For this reason, children may be

more susceptible to health effects from inorganic arsenic

than adults.

There is some evidence that inhaled or ingested arsenic can

injure pregnant women or their unborn babies, although the

studies are not definitive. Studies in animals show that large

doses of arsenic that cause illness in pregnant females can

also cause low birth weight, fetal malformations, and even

fetal death. Arsenic can cross the placenta and has been

found in fetal tissues. Arsenic is found at low levels in

breast milk.

How can families reduce the risks of exposure to

arsenic?

‘ If you use arsenic-treated wood in home projects, you

should wear dust masks, gloves, and protective clothing to

decrease exposure to sawdust.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine ToxFAQsTM August 2007

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about barium and barium

compounds. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact

sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is

important you understand this information because these substances may harm you. The effects of

exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal

traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to barium occurs mostly in the workplace or from drinking

contaminated water. Ingesting drinking water containing levels of barium above

the EPA drinking water guidelines for relatively short periods of time can cause

gastrointestinal disturbances and muscle weakness. Ingesting high levels for a long

time can damage the kidneys. Barium and barium compounds have been found in

at least 798 of the 1,684 National Priority List sites identified by the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA).

What is barium?

Barium is a silvery-white metal which exists in nature only in

ores containing mixtures of elements. It combines with other

chemicals such as sulfur or carbon and oxygen to form barium

compounds.

Barium compounds are used by the oil and gas industries to

make drilling muds. Drilling muds make it easier to drill through

rock by keeping the drill bit lubricated. They are also used to

make paint, bricks, ceramics, glass, and rubber.

Barium sulfate is sometimes used by doctors to perform medical

tests and to take x-rays of the gastrointestinal tract.

What happens to barium when it enters the

environment?

‘ Barium gets into the air during the mining, refining, and

production of barium compounds, and from the burning of coal

and oil.

‘ The length of time that barium will last in air, land, water, or

sediments depends on the form of barium released.

‘ Barium compounds, such as barium sulfate and barium

carbonate, which do not dissolve well in water, can last a long

time in the environment.

‘ Barium compounds, such as barium chloride, barium nitrate,

or barium hydroxide, that dissolve easily in water usually do not

last in these forms for a long time in the environment. The barium

in these compounds that is dissolved in water quickly combines

with sulfate or carbonate that are naturally found in water and

become the longer lasting forms (barium sulfate and barium

carbonate).

‘ Fish and aquatic organisms can accumulate barium.

How might I be exposed to barium?

‘ Ingesting small amounts present in your food and water or

breathing air containing very low levels of barium.

‘ Living in areas with unusually high natural levels of barium

in the drinking water.

‘ Working in a job that involves barium production or use.

‘ Living or working near waste sites where barium has been

disposed of.

How can barium affect my health?

The health effects of the different barium compounds depend

on how well the compound dissolves in water or in the stomach

contents. Barium compounds that do not dissolve well, such

as barium sulfate, are not generally harmful.

BARIUM AND COMPOUNDS

CAS # 7440-39-3
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone:

1-800-232-4636, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR

can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat

illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

Barium has been found to potentially cause gastrointestinal

disturbances and muscular weakness when people are exposed

to it at levels above the EPA drinking water standards for relatively

short periods of time. Some people who eat or drink amounts of

barium above background levels found in food and water for a

short period may experience vomiting, abdominal cramps,

diarrhea, difficulties in breathing, increased or decreased blood

pressure, numbness around the face, and muscle weakness.

Eating or drinking very large amounts of barium compounds that

easily dissolve can cause changes in heart rhythm or paralysis

and possibly death. Animals that drank barium over long periods

had damage to the kidneys, decreases in body weight, and some

died.

How likely is barium to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have not

classified barium as to its carcinogenicity. The EPA has determined

that barium is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans following

ingestion and that there is insufficient information to determine

whether it will be carcinogenic to humans following inhalation

exposure.

How can barium affect children?

We do not know whether children will be more or less sensitive

than adults to barium toxicity. A study in rats that swallowed

barium found a decrease in newborn body weight; we do not

know if a similar effect would be seen in humans.

How can families reduce the risks of exposure to

barium?

The greatest potential source of barium exposure is through food

and drinking water. However, the amount of barium in foods and

drinking water are typically too low to be of concern.

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve

been exposed to barium?

There is no routine medical test to determine whether you have

been exposed to barium. Doctors can measure barium in body

tissues and fluids, such as bones, blood, urine, and feces, using

very complex instruments. These tests cannot be used to predict

the extent of the exposure or potential health effects.

The geometric mean barium level measured in the U.S. general

population aged 6 and older is reported by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) as 1.44 μg/g creatinine (measured

in urine).

Has the federal government made recommendations

to protect human health?

The EPA has set a limit of 2.0 milligrams of barium per liter of

drinking water (2.0 mg/L), which is the same as 2 ppm.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has

set Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) of 0.5 milligrams of soluble

barium compounds per cubic meter of workplace air (0.5 mg/m3)

for 8 hour shifts and 40 hour work weeks. The OSHA limits for

barium sulfate dust are 15 mg/m3 of total dust and 5 mg/m3 for

respirable fraction.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH) has set Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) of 0.5

mg/m3 for soluble barium compounds. The NIOSH has set RELs

of 10 mg/m3 (total dust) for barium sulfate and 5 mg/m3 (respirable

fraction).

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

2007. Toxicological Profile for Barium and Compounds (Update).

Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Public Health and Human

Services, Public Health Service.

BARIUM AND COMPOUNDS

CAS # 7440-39-3
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM September 2002

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about beryllium. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: People working or living near beryllium industries have the

greatest potential for exposure to beryllium. Lung damage has been observed

in people exposed to high levels of beryllium in the air. About 1-15% of all

people occupationally-exposed to beryllium in air become sensitive to beryllium

and may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an irreversible and

sometimes fatal scarring of the lungs. CBD may be completely asymptomatic or

begin with coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, and/or fatigue.

Beryllium has been found in at least 535 of the 1,613 National Priorities List

sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is beryllium?

Beryllium is a hard, grayish metal naturally found in mineral

rocks, coal, soil, and volcanic dust. Beryllium ore is mined,

and the beryllium is purified for use in nuclear weapons and

reactors, aircraft and space vehicle structures, instruments, xray machines, and mirrors. Beryllium oxide is used to make

speciality ceramics for electrical and high-technology

applications. Beryllium alloys are used in automobiles,

computers, sports equipment (golf clubs), and dental

bridges.

What happens to beryllium when it enters the

environment?

‘ Beryllium dust enters the air from burning coal and oil.

This beryllium dust will eventually settle over the land and

water.

‘ It enters water from erosion of rocks and soil, and from

industrial waste. Some beryllium compounds will dissolve in

water, but most stick to particles and settle to the bottom.

‘ Most beryllium in soil does not dissolve in water and

remains bound to soil.

‘ Beryllium does not accumulate in the food chain.

How might I be exposed to beryllium?

‘ The general population is normally exposed to low levels

of beryllium in air, food, and water.

‘ People working in industries where beryllium is mined,

processed, machined, or converted into metal, alloys, and

other chemicals may be exposed to high levels of beryllium.

People living near these industries may also be exposed to

higher than normal levels of beryllium in air.

‘ People living near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites may

be exposed to higher than normal levels of beryllium.

How can beryllium affect my health?

Beryllium can be harmful if you breathe it. The effects

depend on how much you are exposed to, for how long, and

individual susceptibility. If beryllium air levels are high

enough (greater than 1000 ug/m3

), an acute condition can

result. This condition resembles pneumonia and is called

acute beryllium disease Occupational and community air

standards are effective in preventing acute lung damage.

Some exposed workers (1-15%) become sensitive to

beryllium. These individuals may develop an inflammatory

reaction in the respiratory system. This condition is called

chronic beryllium disease (CBD), and can occur years after

exposure to higher than normal levels of beryllium (greater

than 0.2 ug/m3

). This disease can make you feel weak and

tired, and can cause difficulty in breathing. It can also result

in anorexia, weight loss, and may also lead to right side heart

BERYLLIUM

CAS #7440-41-7
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ToxFAQsTM Internet address is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html

Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and

Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA30333. Phone: 1-888-422-

8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR can

tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and

treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health

or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

enlargement and heart disease in advanced cases. Some

people who are sensitized to beryllium may not have any

symptoms. The general population is unlikely to develop

chronic beryllium disease because ambient air levels of

beryllium are normally very low (0.00003-0.0002 ug/m3).

Swallowing beryllium has not been reported to cause effects

in humans because very little beryllium is absorbed from the

stomach and intestines. Ulcers have been seen in dogs

ingesting beryllium in the diet. Beryllium contact with skin

that has been scraped or cut may cause rashes or ulcers.

How likely is beryllium to cause cancer?

Long term exposure to beryllium can increase the risk of

developing lung cancer in people.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and

the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

have determined that beryllium is a human carcinogen. The

EPA has determined that beryllium is a probable human

carcinogen. EPA has estimated that lifetime exposure to

0.04 ug/m3 beryllium can result in a one in a thousand chance

of developing cancer.

How can beryllium affect children?

It is likely that the health effects seen in children exposed to

beryllium will be similar to the effects seen in adults. We do

not know whether children differ from adults in their

susceptibility to beryllium.

We do not know if exposure to beryllium will result in birth

defects or other developmental effects in people. The

studies on developmental effects in animals are not

conclusive.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

beryllium?

‘ Individuals working at facilities that use beryllium should

make sure that contaminated clothing and objects are not

brought home.

‘ Children should avoid playing in soils near uncontrolled

hazardous waste sites where beryllium may have been

discarded.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to beryllium?

Beryllium can be measured in samples from your blood,

urine, skin, or lungs. These tests are rarely done because

they are not reliable measures of your exposure over time.

Also, these tests do not show if you have become sensitized

to beryllium.

Another test, the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test

(BeLPT), can help your doctor decide if you are sensitized to

beryllium. This test is only done in a few specialized

laboratories, but doctors familiar with the test can collect

blood samples and send them for testing by overnight

carrier. The BeLPT is most often done for people who work

with beryllium. It is also useful for separating chronic

beryllium disease from diagnoses that resemble it (for

example, sarcoidosis). Depending on your exposure history,

clinical findings, and test results, your doctor may also

recommend additional specialized testing.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA restricts the amount of beryllium that industries

may release into the air to 0.01 ug/m3, averaged over a 30-

day period.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

sets a limit of 2 ug/m3 for an 8-hour work shift measured as a

personal sample.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 2002. Toxicological Profile for Beryllium Atlanta,

GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.

CAS #7440-41-7

BERYLLIUM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine ToxFAQsTM September 2007

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about boron. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to boron occurs in the workplace or from using

certain consumer products. Breathing moderate levels of boron irritates the

nose, throat, and eyes. Ingestion of large amounts of boron can result in

damage to the testes, intestines, liver, kidney, and brain. Boron has been

found in at least 164 of 1,689 National Priorities List sites identified by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is boron?

Boron is a compound that occurs in nature. It is often found

combined with other substances to form compounds called

borates. Common borate compounds include boric acid,

salts of borates, and boron oxide.

Borates are used mostly to produce glass. They are also

used in fire retardants, leather tanning industries, cosmetics,

photographic materials, soaps and cleaners, and for highenergy fuel. Some pesticides used for cockroach control and

some wood preservatives also contain borates.

What happens to boron when it enters the

environment?

‘ Boron is released to the environment from natural sources

such as oceans, volcanoes, and geothermal steam.

‘ Boron is also released from industries that use it.

‘ Boron cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can only

change its form or become attached or separated from particles

in soil, sediment, and water.

How might I be exposed to boron?

‘ You can be exposed to boron in food, mainly vegetables

and fruits.

‘ Boron is widely distributed in surface water and

groundwater.

‘ The general public is not likely to be exposed to air

contaminated with boron.

‘ Working in borax mining and refining plants and at sites

where boric acid is manufactured.

‘ Using consumer products that contain it, such as

cosmetics and laundry products.

How can boron affect my health?

People working in dusty workplaces where borates are mined

and processed have reported irritation of the nose, throat,

and eyes. The irritation does not persist for long periods

after leaving the dusty area.

Exposure to large amounts of boron (about 30 g of boric

acid) over short periods of time can affect the stomach,

intestines, liver, kidney, and brain and can eventually lead to

death.

Studies in animals indicate that the male reproductive

organs, especially the testes, are affected if large amounts of

boron are ingested for short or long periods of time. The

doses that produced these effects in animals are more than

1,800 times higher than the average daily intake of boron in

food by adults in the U.S. population.

How likely is boron to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services, the

International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the EPA

have not classified boron as to its human carcinogenicity.

BORON

CAS # 7440-42-8
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1-800-232-4636, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR

can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat

illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

One animal study found no evidence of cancer after lifetime

exposure to boric acid in food. No human studies are

available.

How can boron affect children?

It is likely that children would show the same health effects as

adults. We do not know whether children differ in their

susceptibility to the effects of boron.

We do not know whether boron causes birth defects in people.

Low birth weights, birth defects, and developmental delays have

occurred in newborn animals whose mothers were orally exposed

to high doses of boron (as boric acid) during pregnancy. The

doses that produced these effects in pregnant animals are more

than 800 times higher than the average daily intake of boron in

food by adult women in the U.S. population

How can families reduce the risks of exposure to

boron?

‘ Pesticides containing boron compounds should be used

according to their directions and should be kept away from

children.

‘ Always store household chemicals in their original labeled

containers out of reach of young children to prevent

accidental poisonings. Never store household chemicals in

containers children would find attractive to eat or drink from,

such as old soda bottles.

‘ Children living near waste sites containing boron and

boron compounds are likely to be exposed to higher than

normal environmental levels of boron through breathing in

boron-containing dust, touching soil, and eating

contaminated soil. Children should be encouraged to wash

their hands frequently, especially before eating.

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve

been exposed to boron?

Blood and urine can be examined to determine whether

excessive exposure to boron has occurred.

These tests can show you were exposed to boron, but

cannot predict the kind of health effects that might occur.

Has the federal government made recommendations

to protect human health?

The EPA has determined that exposure to boron in drinking

water at concentrations of 4 ppm for 1 day or 0.9 ppm for 10

days is not expected to cause any adverse effects in a child.

The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure to 1 ppm

boron is not expected to cause any adverse effects.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

has limited workers’ exposure to an average of 15 mg/m3 for

boron oxide in air for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

2007. Toxicological Profile for Boron (Draft for Public Comment).

Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Public Health and Human

Services, Public Health Service.

BORON

CAS # 7440-42-8
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs June 1999

CADMIUM

CAS # 7440-43-9

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about cadmium. For more information,

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about

hazardous substances and their health effects. It’s important you understand this information because this

substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,

how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to cadmium happens mostly in the workplace where

cadmium products are made. The general population is exposed from breathing

cigarette smoke or eating cadmium contaminated foods. Cadmium damages the

lungs, can cause kidney disease, and may irritate the digestive tract. This substance

has been found in at least 776 of the 1,467 National Priorities List sites identified

by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is cadmium?

(Pronounced k2dìm¶-Öm)

Cadmium is a natural element in the earth’s crust. It is

usually found as a mineral combined with other elements such

as oxygen (cadmium oxide), chlorine (cadmium chloride), or

sulfur (cadmium sulfate, cadmium sulfide).

All soils and rocks, including coal and mineral fertilizers,

contain some cadmium. Most cadmium used in the United

States is extracted during the production of other metals like

zinc, lead, and copper. Cadmium does not corrode easily and

has many uses, including batteries, pigments, metal coatings,

and plastics.

What happens to cadmium when it enters the

environment?

q Cadmium enters air from mining, industry, and burning

coal and household wastes.

q Cadmium particles in air can travel long distances before

falling to the ground or water.

q It enters water and soil from waste disposal and spills or

leaks at hazardous waste sites.

q It binds strongly to soil particles.

q Some cadmium dissolves in water.

q It doesn’t break down in the environment, but can change

forms.

q Fish, plants, and animals take up cadmium from the environment.

q Cadmium stays in the body a very long time and can

build up from many years of exposure to low levels.

How might I be exposed to cadmium?

q Breathing contaminated workplace air (battery manufacturing, metal soldering or welding).

q Eating foods containing it; low levels in all foods (highest in shellfish, liver, and kidney meats).

q Breathing cadmium in cigarette smoke (doubles the average daily intake).

q Drinking contaminated water.

q Breathing contaminated air near the burning of fossil

fuels or municipal waste.

How can cadmium affect my health?

Breathing high levels of cadmium severely damages the

lungs and can cause death. Eating food or drinking water with

very high levels severely irritates the stomach, leading to

vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term exposure to lower levels of

cadmium in air, food, or water leads to a buildup of cadmium

in the kidneys and possible kidney disease.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-8737,

FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ATSDR can tell you

where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses

resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

CADMIUM

CAS # 7740-43-9

Other long-term effects are lung damage and fragile

bones. Animals given cadmium in food or water had high

blood pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease, and nerve or

brain damage.

We don’t know if humans get any of these diseases from

eating or drinking cadmium. Skin contact with cadmium is not

known to cause health effects in humans or animals.

How likely is cadmium to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has

determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens.

How can cadmium affect children?

The health effects in children are expected to be similar to

those in adults (kidney, lung and intestinal damage).

We don't know if cadmium causes birth defects in people.

Cadmium does not readily go from a pregnant woman's body

into the developing child, but some portion can cross the placenta. It can also be found in breast milk. The babies of animals exposed to high levels of cadmium during pregnancy had

changes in behavior and learning ability. Cadmium may also

affect birth weight and the skeleton in developing animals.

Animal studies also indicate that more cadmium is absorbed into the body if the diet is low in calcium, protein, or

iron, or is high in fat. A few studies show that younger animals

absorb more cadmium and are more likely to lose bone and

bone strength than adults.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

cadmium?

In the home, store substances that contain cadmium safely,

and keep nickel-cadmium batteries out of reach of young

children. If you work with cadmium, use all safety precautions

to avoid carrying cadmium-containing dust home from work

on your clothing, skin, hair, or tools.

A balanced diet can reduce the amount of cadmium taken

into the body from food and drink.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to cadmium?

Tests are available in some medical laboratories that measure cadmium in blood, urine, hair, or nails. Blood levels

show recent exposure to cadmium, and urine levels show both

recent and earlier exposure. The reliability of tests for cadmium levels in hair or nails is unknown.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA has set a limit of 5 parts of cadmium per billion

parts of drinking water (5 ppb). EPA doesn't allow cadmium in

pesticides.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the

amount of cadmium in food colors to 15 parts per million

(15 ppm).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) limits workplace air to 100 micrograms cadmium per

cubic meter (100 μg/m3

) as cadmium fumes and 200 μg cadmium/m3 as cadmium dust.

References

 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological profile for cadmium. Atlanta,

GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM February 2001

CHROMIUM

CAS # 7440-47-3

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about chromium. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of

summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It’s important you understand this information

because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the

dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to chromium occurs from ingesting contaminated

food or drinking water or breathing contaminated workplace air. Chromium(VI)

at high levels can damage the nose and can cause cancer. Chromium has been

found at 1,036 of the 1,591 National Priority List sites identified by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is chromium?

Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks,

animals, plants, soil, and in volcanic dust and gases.

Chromium is present in the environment in several different

forms. The most common forms are chromium(0),

chromium(III), and chromium(VI). No taste or odor is

associated with chromium compounds.

Chromium(III) occurs naturally in the environment and is an

essential nutrient. Chromium(VI) and chromium(0) are

generally produced by industrial processes.

The metal chromium, which is the chromium(0) form, is used

for making steel. Chromium(VI) and chromium(III) are used

for chrome plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and

wood preserving.

What happens to chromium when it enters the

environment?

 Chromium enters the air, water, and soil mostly in the

chromium(III) and chromium(VI) forms.

 In air, chromium compounds are present mostly as fine

dust particles which eventually settle over land and water.

 Chromium can strongly attach to soil and only a small

amount can dissolve in water and move deeper in the soil to

underground water.

 Fish do not accumulate much chromium in their bodies

from water.

How might I be exposed to chromium?

 Eating food containing chromium(III).

 Breathing contaminated workplace air or skin contact

during use in the workplace.

 Drinking contaminated well water.

 Living near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites containing

chromium or industries that use chromium.

How can chromium affect my health?

Chromium(III) is an essential nutrient that helps the body

use sugar, protein, and fat.

Breathing high levels of chromium(VI) can cause irritation to

the nose, such as runny nose, nosebleeds, and ulcers and

holes in the nasal septum.

Ingesting large amounts of chromium(VI) can cause stomach

upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage,

and even death.
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-8737,

FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQsTM Internet address is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html . ATSDR can tell you where to

find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting

from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality

department if you have any more questions or concerns.

CHROMIUM

CAS # 7440-47-3

Skin contact with certain chromium(VI) compounds can cause

skin ulcers. Some people are extremely sensitive to

chromium(VI) or chromium(III). Allergic reactions consisting

of severe redness and swelling of the skin have been noted.

How likely is chromium to cause cancer?

Several studies have shown that chromium(VI) compounds

can increase the risk of lung cancer. Animal studies have

also shown an increased risk of cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that

chromium(VI) is a human carcinogen.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has

determined that certain chromium(VI) compounds are known

to cause cancer in humans.

The EPA has determined that chromium(VI) in air is a human

carcinogen.

How can chromium affect children?

We do not know if exposure to chromium will result in birth

defects or other developmental effects in people. Birth

defects have been observed in animals exposed to

chromium(VI).

It is likely that health effects seen in children exposed to

high amounts of chromium will be similar to the effects seen

in adults.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

chromium?

 Children should avoid playing in soils near uncontrolled

hazardous waste sites where chromium may have been

discarded.

 Although chromium(III) is an essential nutrient, you

should avoid excessive use of dietary supplements

containing chromium.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to chromium?

Since chromium(III) is an essential element and naturally

occurs in food, there will always be some level of chromium

in your body. There are tests to measure the level of

chromium in hair, urine, and blood. These tests are most

useful for people exposed to high levels. These tests cannot

determine the exact levels of chromium that you may have

been exposed to or predict how the levels in your tissues

will affect your health.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

EPA has set a limit of 100 :g chromium(III) and chromium(VI)

per liter of drinking water (100 :g/L).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

has set limits of 500 :g water soluble chromium(III)

compounds per cubic meter of workplace air (500 :g/m3),

1,000 :g/m3 for metallic chromium(0) and insoluble chromium

compounds, and 52 :g/m3 for chromium(VI) compounds for

8-hour work shifts and 40-hour work weeks.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 2000. Toxicological Profile for Chromium. Atlanta,

GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM April 2004

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about cobalt. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: The general population is exposed to low levels of cobalt in air,

water, and food. Cobalt has both beneficial and harmful effects on health. At

low levels, it is part of vitamin B12, which is essential for good health. At high

levels, it may harm the lungs and heart. This chemical has been found in at

least 426 of the 1,636 National Priorities List sites identified by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is cobalt?

Cobalt is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil,

water, plants, and animals. Cobalt is used to produce alloys

used in the manufacture of aircraft engines, magnets,

grinding and cutting tools, artificial hip and knee joints.

Cobalt compounds are also used to color glass, ceramics

and paints, and used as a drier for porcelain enamel and

paints.

Radioactive cobalt is used for commercial and medical

purposes. 60Co (read as cobalt sixty) is used for sterilizing

medical equipment and consumer products, radiation therapy

for treating cancer patients, manufacturing plastics, and

irradiating food. 57Co is used in medical and scientific

research. It takes about 5.27 years for half of 60Co to give

off its radiation and about 272 days for 57Co; this is called

the half-life.

What happens to cobalt when it enters the

environment?

‘ Cobalt enters the environment from natural sources and

the burning of coal or oil or the production of cobalt alloys.

‘ In the air, cobalt will be associated with particles that

settle to the ground within a few days.

‘ Cobalt released into water or soil will stick to particles.

Some cobalt compounds may dissolve.

‘ Cobalt cannot be destroyed. It can change form or attach

to or separate from particles. Radioactive decay is a way of

decreasing the amount of radioactive cobalt in the

environment.

How might I be exposed to cobalt?

‘ You can be exposed to low levels of cobalt by breathing

air, eating food, or drinking water. Food and drinking water

are the largest sources of exposure to cobalt for the general

population.

‘ Working in industries that make or use cutting or grinding

tools; mine, smelt, refine, or process cobalt metal or ores; or

that produce cobalt alloys or use cobalt.

‘ The general population is rarely exposed to radioactive

cobalt unless a person is undergoing radiation therapy.

However, workers at nuclear facilities, irradiation facilities, or

nuclear waste storage sites may be exposed to radiation from

these sources.

How can cobalt affect my health?

Cobalt can benefit or harm human health. Cobalt is

beneficial for humans because it is part of vitamin B12.

Exposure to high levels of cobalt can result in lung and heart

effects and dermatitis. Liver and kidney effects have also

been observed in animals exposed to high levels of cobalt.

Exposure to large amounts of radiation from radioactive

cobalt can damage cells in your body from the radiation.

COBALT

CAS #7440-48-4
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8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR can

tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and

treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health

or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

You might also experience acute radiation syndrome that

includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, coma, and

even death. This would be a rare event.

How likely is cobalt to cause cancer?

Nonradioactive cobalt has not been found to cause cancer in

humans or animals following exposure in food or water.

Cancer has been shown, however, in animals that breathed

cobalt or when cobalt was placed directly into the muscle or

under the skin. Based on the laboratory animal data, the

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has

determined that cobalt and cobalt compounds are possibly

carcinogenic to humans.

Exposure to high levels of cobalt radiation can cause

changes in the genetic materials within cells and may result

in the development of some types of cancer.

How can cobalt affect children?

We do not know whether children differ from adults in their

susceptibility to cobalt. However, it is likely that health

effects in children would be similar those in adults. Studies

in animals suggest that children may absorb more cobalt than

adults from foods and liquids containing cobalt.

We do not know if exposure to cobalt will result in birth

defects or other developmental effects in people. Birth

defects have been observed in animals exposed to

nonradioactive cobalt. Exposure to cobalt radiation can also

result in developmental effects.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

cobalt?

Children should avoid playing in soils near hazardous waste

sites where cobalt may be present.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to cobalt?

Cobalt levels can be tested in the urine and blood within a

couple of days of exposure. Your doctor can take samples,

but must send them to a laboratory to be tested. The

amount of cobalt in your blood or urine can be used to

estimate how much cobalt you were exposed to. However,

these tests cannot predict whether you will experience any

health effects.

Two types of tests are available for radioactive cobalt. One

is to see if you have been exposed to a large dose of

radiation, and the other is to see if radioactive cobalt is in

your body. The first looks for changes in blood cell counts

or in your chromosomes that occur at 3 to 5 times the annual

occupational dose limit. It cannot tell if the radiation came

from cobalt. The second type of test involves examining

your blood, feces, saliva, urine, and even your entire body.

It is to see if cobalt is being excreted from or remains inside

your body. Either the doctor’s office collects and sends the

samples to a special lab for testing, or you must go to the

lab for testing.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

has set a limit of 0.1 milligrams of nonradioactive cobalt per

cubic meter of workplace air (0.1 mg/m3) for an 8-hour

workday and 40-hour work week.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission limits radioactive cobalt

in workplace air to 1x10-5 microcurie per milliliter (μCi/mL) for 57Co and 7x10-8 μCi/mL for 60Co. EPA has set an average

annual drinking water limit of 1000 picocurie per liter (pCi/L)

for 57Co or 100 pCi/L for 60Co so the public radiation dose

will not exceed 4 millirem.

Reference

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 2004. Toxicological Profile for Cobalt Atlanta,

GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.

COBALT

CAS #7440-48-4
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM September 2004

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about copper. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Copper is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment, and

also in plants and animals. Low levels of copper are essential for maintaining

good health. High levels can cause harmful effects such as irritation of the

nose, mouth and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and even

death. Copper has been found in at least 906 of the 1,647 National Priority

Sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is copper?

Copper is a metal that occurs naturally throughout the

environment, in rocks, soil, water, and air. Copper is an

essential element in plants and animals (including humans),

which means it is necessary for us to live. Therefore, plants

and animals must absorb some copper from eating, drinking,

and breathing.

Copper is used to make many different kinds of products like

wire, plumbing pipes, and sheet metal. U.S. pennies made

before 1982 are made of copper, while those made after 1982

are only coated with copper. Copper is also combined with

other metals to make brass and bronze pipes and faucets.

Copper compounds are commonly used in agriculture to

treat plant diseases like mildew, for water treatment and, as

preservatives for wood, leather, and fabrics.

What happens to copper when it enters the

environment?

‘ Copper is released into the environment by mining,

farming, and manufacturing operations and through waste

water releases into rivers and lakes. Copper is also released

from natural sources, like volcanoes, windblown dusts,

decaying vegetation, and forest fires.

‘ Copper released into the environment usually attaches to

particles made of organic matter, clay, soil, or sand.

‘ Copper does not break down in the environment. Copper

compounds can break down and release free copper into the

air, water, and foods.

How might I be exposed to copper?

‘ You may be exposed to copper from breathing air,

drinking water, eating foods, or having skin contact with

copper, particulates attached to copper, or copper-containing

compounds.

‘ Drinking water may have high levels of copper if your

house has copper pipes and acidic water.

‘ Lakes and rivers that have been treated with copper

compounds to control algae, or that receive cooling water

from power plants, can have high levels of copper. Soils can

also contain high levels of copper, especially if they are near

copper smelting plants.

‘ You may be exposed to copper by ingesting coppercontaining fungicides, or if you live near a copper mine or

where copper is processed into bronze or brass.

‘ You may be exposed to copper if you work in copper

mines or if you grind metals containing copper.

How can copper affect my health?

Everyone must absorb small amounts of copper every day

because copper is essential for good health. High levels of

copper can be harmful. Breathing high levels of copper can

cause irritation of your nose and throat. Ingesting high

levels of copper can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Very-high doses of copper can cause damage to your liver

and kidneys, and can even cause death.

COPPER

CAS # 7440-50-8
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and

Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-

8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR can

tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and

treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health

or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

How likely is copper to cause cancer?

We do not know whether copper can cause cancer in

humans. The EPA has determined that copper is not

classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.

How can copper affect children?

Exposure to high levels of copper will result in the same type

of effects in children and adults. We do not know if these

effects would occur at the same dose level in children and

adults. Studies in animals suggest that the young children

may have more severe effects than adults, but we don’t

know if this would also be true in humans. There is a very

small percentage of infants and children who are unusually

sensitive to copper.

We do not know if copper can cause birth defects or other

developmental effects in humans. Studies in animals suggest

that high levels of copper may cause a decrease in fetal

growth.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

copper?

The most likely place to be exposed to copper is through

drinking water, especially if your water is corrosive and you

have copper pipes in your house. The best way to lower the

level of copper in your drinking water is to let the water run

for at least 15 seconds first thing in the morning before

drinking or using it. This reduces the levels of copper in tap

water dramatically.

If you work with copper, wear the necessary protective

clothing and equipment, and always follow safety

procedures. Shower and change your clothes before going

home each day.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to copper?

Copper is found throughout the body; in hair, nails, blood,

urine, and other tissues. High levels of copper in these

samples can show that you have been exposed to higherthan normal levels of copper. These tests cannot tell

whether you will experience harmful effects. Tests to

measure copper levels in the body are not usually available

at a doctor’s office because they require special equipment,

but the doctor can send samples to a specialty laboratory.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA requires that levels of copper in drinking water be

less than 1.3 mg of copper per one liter of drinking water

(1.3 mg/L).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set the recommended

daily allowance for copper at 900 micrograms of copper per

day (μg/day) for people older than eight years old.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

requires that levels of copper in the air in workplaces not

exceed 0.1 mg of copper fumes per cubic meter of air

(0.1 mg/m3) and 1.0 mg/m3 for copper dusts.

Reference

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 2004. Toxicological Profile for Copper. Atlanta,

GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.

COPPER

CAS # 7440-50-8
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine ToxFAQsTM August 2007

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about lead. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to lead can happen from breathing workplace air or

dust, eating contaminated foods, or drinking contaminated water. Children can be

exposed from eating lead-based paint chips or playing in contaminated soil. Lead

can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system. Lead has been

found in at least 1,272 of the 1,684 National Priority List sites identified by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in

small amounts in the earth’s crust. Lead can be found in all

parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human

activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and

manufacturing.

Lead has many different uses. It is used in the production of

batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes), and

devices to shield X-rays. Because of health concerns, lead

from paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder

has been dramatically reduced in recent years. The use of

lead as an additive to gasoline was banned in 1996 in the

United States.

What happens to lead when it enters the

environment?

‘ Lead itself does not break down, but lead compounds are

changed by sunlight, air, and water.

‘ When lead is released to the air, it may travel long

distances before settling to the ground.

‘ Once lead falls onto soil, it usually sticks to soil

particles.

‘ Movement of lead from soil into groundwater will depend

on the type of lead compound and the characteristics of the

soil.

How might I be exposed to lead?

‘ Eating food or drinking water that contains lead. Water

pipes in some older homes may contain lead solder. Lead

can leach out into the water.

‘ Spending time in areas where lead-based paints have

been used and are deteriorating. Deteriorating lead paint can

contribute to lead dust.

‘ Working in a job where lead is used or engaging in

certain hobbies in which lead is used, such as making

stained glass.

‘ Using health-care products or folk remedies that contain

lead.

How can lead affect my health?

The effects of lead are the same whether it enters the body

through breathing or swallowing. Lead can affect almost

every organ and system in your body. The main target for

lead toxicity is the nervous system, both in adults and

children. Long-term exposure of adults can result in

decreased performance in some tests that measure functions

of the nervous system. It may also cause weakness in

fingers, wrists, or ankles. Lead exposure also causes small

increases in blood pressure, particularly in middle-aged and

older people and can cause anemia. Exposure to high lead

levels can severely damage the brain and kidneys in adults

or children and ultimately cause death. In pregnant women,

high levels of exposure to lead may cause miscarriage. Highlevel exposure in men can damage the organs responsible for

sperm production.

How likely is lead to cause cancer?

We have no conclusive proof that lead causes cancer in

humans. Kidney tumors have developed in rats and mice

that had been given large doses of some kind of lead

compounds. The Department of Health and Human Services

LEAD

CAS # 7439-92-1
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone:

1-800-232-4636, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR

can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat

illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

(DHHS) has determined that lead and lead compounds are

reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens and the EPA

has determined that lead is a probable human carcinogen.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has

determined that inorganic lead is probably carcinogenic to

humans and that there is insufficient information to determine

whether organic lead compounds will cause cancer in

humans.

How can lead affect children?

Small children can be exposed by eating lead-based paint

chips, chewing on objects painted with lead-based paint, or

swallowing house dust or soil that contains lead.

Children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults. A

child who swallows large amounts of lead may develop blood

anemia, severe stomachache, muscle weakness, and brain

damage. If a child swallows smaller amounts of lead, much

less severe effects on blood and brain function may occur.

Even at much lower levels of exposure, lead can affect a

child’s mental and physical growth.

Exposure to lead is more dangerous for young and unborn

children. Unborn children can be exposed to lead through

their mothers. Harmful effects include premature births,

smaller babies, decreased mental ability in the infant, learning

difficulties, and reduced growth in young children. These

effects are more common if the mother or baby was exposed

to high levels of lead. Some of these effects may persist

beyond childhood.

How can families reduce the risks of exposure to

lead?

‘ Avoid exposure to sources of lead.

‘ Do not allow children to chew or mouth surfaces that

may have been painted with lead-based paint.

‘ If you have a water lead problem, run or flush water that

has been standing overnight before drinking or cooking with

it.

‘ Some types of paints and pigments that are used as

make-up or hair coloring contain lead. Keep these kinds of

products away from children

‘ If your home contains lead-based paint or you live in an

area contaminated with lead, wash children’s hands and faces

often to remove lead dusts and soil, and regularly clean the

house of dust and tracked in soil.

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve

been exposed to lead?

A blood test is available to measure the amount of lead in

your blood and to estimate the amount of your recent

exposure to lead. Blood tests are commonly used to screen

children for lead poisoning. Lead in teeth or bones can be

measured by X-ray techniques, but these methods are not

widely available. Exposure to lead also can be evaluated by

measuring erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) in blood samples.

EP is a part of red blood cells known to increase when the

amount of lead in the blood is high. However, the EP level is

not sensitive enough to identify children with elevated blood

lead levels below about 25 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL).

These tests usually require special analytical equipment that

is not available in a doctor's office. However, your doctor

can draw blood samples and send them to appropriate

laboratories for analysis.

Has the federal government made recommendations

to protect human health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

recommends that states test children at ages 1 and 2 years.

Children should be tested at ages 3–6 years if they have

never been tested for lead, if they receive services from

public assistance programs for the poor such as Medicaid or

the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and

Children, if they live in a building or frequently visit a house

built before 1950; if they visit a home (house or apartment)

built before 1978 that has been recently remodeled; and/or if

they have a brother, sister, or playmate who has had lead

poisoning. CDC considers a blood lead level of 10 μg/dL to

be a level of concern for children.

EPA limits lead in drinking water to 15 μg per liter.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

2007. Toxicological Profile for lead (Update). Atlanta, GA: U.S.

Department of Public Health and Human Services, Public Health

Service.

LEAD

CAS # 7439-92-1
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs April 1999

MERCURY

CAS # 7439-97-6

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about mercury. For more information,

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about

hazardous substances and their health effects. It’s important you understand this information because this

substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,

how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to mercury occurs from breathing contaminated air,

ingesting contaminated water and food, and having dental and medical treatments.

Mercury, at high levels, may damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. This

chemical has been found in at least 714 of 1,467 National Priorities List sites identified

by the Environmental Protection Agency.

What is mercury?

(Pronounced m ̊rìkyÖ-r¶)

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal which has several

forms. The metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless

liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas.

Mercury combines with other elements, such as chlorine,

sulfur, or oxygen, to form inorganic mercury compounds or

“salts,” which are usually white powders or crystals. Mercury

also combines with carbon to make organic mercury compounds. The most common one, methylmercury, is produced

mainly by microscopic organisms in the water and soil. More

mercury in the environment can increase the amounts of methylmercury that these small organisms make.

Metallic mercury is used to produce chlorine gas and

caustic soda, and is also used in thermometers, dental fillings,

and batteries. Mercury salts are sometimes used in skin lightening creams and as antiseptic creams and ointments.

What happens to mercury when it enters the

environment?

q Inorganic mercury (metallic mercury and inorganic mercury compounds) enters the air from mining ore deposits,

burning coal and waste, and from manufacturing plants.

q It enters the water or soil from natural deposits, disposal of

wastes, and volcanic activity.

q Methylmercury may be formed in water and soil by small

organisms called bacteria. 

q Methylmercury builds up in the tissues of fish. Larger and

older fish tend to have the highest levels of mercury.

How might I be exposed to mercury?

q Eating fish or shellfish contaminated with methylmercury.

q Breathing vapors in air from spills, incinerators, and industries that burn mercury-containing fuels.

q Release of mercury from dental work and medical treatments.

q Breathing contaminated workplace air or skin contact during use in the workplace (dental, health services, chemical,

and other industries that use mercury).

q Practicing rituals that include mercury.

How can mercury affect my health?

The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury. Methylmercury and metallic mercury vapors are more

harmful than other forms, because more mercury in these forms

reaches the brain. Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain,

kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning

may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or

hearing, and memory problems.

Short-term exposure to high levels of metallic mercury

vapors may cause effects including lung damage, nausea,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-8737,

FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ATSDR can tell you

where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses

resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

MERCURY

CAS # 7439-97-6

vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate,

skin rashes, and eye irritation.

How likely is mercury to cause cancer?

There are inadequate human cancer data available for all

forms of mercury. Mercuric chloride has caused increases in

several types of tumors in rats and mice, and methylmercury

has caused kidney tumors in male mice. The EPA has determined that mercuric chloride and methylmercury are possible

human carcinogens.

How can mercury affect children?

Very young children are more sensitive to mercury than

adults. Mercury in the mother’s body passes to the fetus and

may accumulate there. It can also can pass to a nursing infant

through breast milk. However, the benefits of breast feeding

may be greater than the possible adverse effects of mercury in

breast milk.

Mercury’s harmful effects that may be passed from the

mother to the fetus include brain damage, mental retardation,

incoordination, blindness, seizures, and inability to speak.

Children poisoned by mercury may develop problems of their

nervous and digestive systems, and kidney damage.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

mercury?

Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain

mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent light bulbs. Do

not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it will vaporize and

increase exposure. If a large amount of mercury has been

spilled, contact your health department. Teach children not to

play with shiny, silver liquids.

Properly dispose of older medicines that contain mercury.

Keep all mercury-containing medicines away from children.

Pregnant women and children should keep away from

rooms where liquid mercury has been used.

Learn about wildlife and fish advisories in your area

from your public health or natural resources department.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to mercury?

Tests are available to measure mercury levels in the body.

Blood or urine samples are used to test for exposure to metallic

mercury and to inorganic forms of mercury. Mercury in whole

blood or in scalp hair is measured to determine exposure to

methylmercury. Your doctor can take samples and send them to

a testing laboratory.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA has set a limit of 2 parts of mercury per billion

parts of drinking water (2 ppb).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a maximum permissible level of 1 part of methylmercury in a million

parts of seafood (1 ppm).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) has set limits of 0.1 milligram of organic mercury per

cubic meter of workplace air (0.1 mg/m3) and 0.05 mg/m3 of

metallic mercury vapor for 8-hour shifts and 40-hour work

weeks.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological profile for mercury. Atlanta,

GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM August 2005

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about nickel. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Nickel is a naturally occurring element. Pure nickel is a hard,

silvery-white metal used to make stainless steel and other metal alloys. Skin

effects are the most common effects in people who are sensitive to nickel.

Workers who breathed very large amounts of nickel compounds developed

chronic bronchitis and lung and nasal sinus cancers. Nickel has been found in

at least 882 of the 1,662 National Priority List sites identified by the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is nickel?

Nickel is a very abundant natural element. Pure nickel is a

hard, silvery-white metal. Nickel can be combined with other

metals, such as iron, copper, chromium, and zinc, to form

alloys. These alloys are used to make coins, jewelry, and

items such as valves and heat exchangers. Most nickel is

used to make stainless steel.

Nickel can combine with other elements such as chlorine,

sulfur, and oxygen to form nickel compounds. Many nickel

compounds dissolve fairly easy in water and have a green

color. Nickel compounds are used for nickel plating, to color

ceramics, to make some batteries, and as substances known

as catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions.

Nickel is found in all soil and is emitted from volcanoes.

Nickel is also found in meteorites and on the ocean floor.

Nickel and its compounds have no characteristic odor or

taste.

What happens to nickel when it enters the

environment?

‘ Nickel is released into the atmosphere by industries that

make or use nickel, nickel alloys, or nickel compounds. It is

also released into the atmosphere by oil-burning power

plants, coal-burning power plants, and trash incinerators.

‘ In the air, it attaches to small particles of dust that settle

to the ground or are taken out of the air in rain or snow; this

usually takes many days.

‘ Nickel released in industrial waste water ends up in soil

or sediment where it strongly attaches to particles containing

iron or manganese.

‘ Nickel does not appear to accumulate in fish or in other

animals used as food.

How might I be exposed to nickel?

‘ By eating food containing nickel, which is the major

source of exposure for most people.

‘ By skin contact with soil, bath or shower water, or metals

containing nickel, as well as by handling coins or touching

jewelry containing nickel.

‘ By drinking water that contains small amounts of nickel.

‘ By breathing air or smoking tobacco containing nickel.

‘ Higher exposure may occur if you work in industries that

process or use nickel.

How can nickel affect my health?

The most common harmful health effect of nickel in humans

is an allergic reaction. Approximately 10-20% of the

population is sensitive to nickel. People can become

sensitive to nickel when jewelry or other things containing it

are in direct contact with the skin for a long time. Once a

person is sensitized to nickel, further contact with the metal

may produce a reaction. The most common reaction is a

skin rash at the site of contact. The skin rash may also

NICKEL

CAS # 7440-02-0
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and

Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-

8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR can

tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and

treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health

or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

occur at a site away from the site of contact. Less

frequently, some people who are sensitive to nickel have

asthma attacks following exposure to nickel. Some sensitized

people react when they consume food or water containing

nickel or breathe dust containing it.

People working in nickel refineries or nickel-processing plants

have experienced chronic bronchitis and reduced lung

function. These persons breathed amounts of nickel much

higher than levels found normally in the environment.

Workers who drank water containing high amounts of nickel

had stomach ache and suffered adverse effects to their blood

and kidneys.

Damage to the lung and nasal cavity has been observed in

rats and mice breathing nickel compounds. Eating or

drinking large amounts of nickel has caused lung disease in

dogs and rats and has affected the stomach, blood, liver,

kidneys, and immune system in rats and mice, as well as their

reproduction and development.

How likely is nickel to cause cancer?

Cancers of the lung and nasal sinus have resulted when

workers breathed dust containing high levels of nickel

compounds while working in nickel refineries or nickel

processing plants. The Department of Health and Human

Services (DHHS) has determined that nickel metal may

reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen and that nickel

compounds are known human carcinogens. The

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has

determined that some nickel compounds are carcinogenic to

humans and that metallic nickel may possibly be

carcinogenic to humans. The EPA has determined that nickel

refinery dust and nickel subsulfide are human carcinogens.

How can nickel affect children?

It is likely that the health effects seen in children exposed to

nickel will be similar to those seen in adults. We do not

know whether children differ from adults in their

susceptibility to nickel. Human studies that examined

whether nickel can harm the fetus are inconclusive. Animal

studies have found increases in newborn deaths and

decreased newborn weight after ingesting very high amounts

of nickel. Nickel can be transferred from the mother to an

infant in breast milk and can cross the placenta.

How can families reduce the risks of exposure to

nickel?

‘ Avoiding jewelry containing nickel will eliminate risks of

exposure to this source of the metal.

‘ Exposures of the general population from other sources,

such as foods and drinking water, are almost always too low

to be of concern.

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve

been exposed to nickel?

There are tests available to measure nickel in your blood,

feces, and urine. More nickel was measured in the urine of

workers who were exposed to nickel compounds that dissolve

easily in water than in the urine of workers exposed to nickel

compounds that are hard to dissolve. This means that it is

easier to tell if you have been exposed to soluble nickel

compounds than less-soluble compounds. The nickel

measurements do not accurately predict potential health

effects from exposure to nickel.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA recommends that drinking water should contain no

more than 0.1 milligrams of nickel per liter of water (0.1 mg/L).

To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 1 mg of nickel per

cubic meter of air (1 mg/m3

) for metallic nickel and nickel

compounds in workplace air during an 8-hour workday, 40-

hour workweek.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

2005. Toxicological Profile for Nickel (Update). Atlanta, GA:

U.S. Department of Public Health and Human Services, Public

Health Service.

NICKEL

CAS # 7440-02-0
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM September 2003

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about selenium. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other

chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: People may be exposed to low levels of selenium daily through

food and water. Selenium is a trace mineral needed in small amounts for good

health, but exposure to much higher levels can result in neurological effects and

brittle hair and deformed nails. Occupational inhalation exposure to selenium

vapors may cause dizziness, fatigue, irritation of mucous membranes, and

respiratory effects. This substance has been found in at least 508 of the 1,636

National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA).

What is selenium?

Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral element that is

distributed widely in nature in most rocks and soils. In its

pure form, it exists as metallic gray to black hexagonal

crystals, but in nature it is usually combined with sulfide or

with silver, copper, lead, and nickel minerals. Most

processed selenium is used in the electronics industry, but it

is also used: as a nutritional supplement; in the glass

industry; as a component of pigments in plastics, paints,

enamels, inks, and rubber; in the preparation of

pharmaceuticals; as a nutritional feed additive for poultry

and livestock; in pesticide formulations; in rubber

production; as an ingredient in antidandruff shampoos; and

as a constituent of fungicides. Radioactive selenium is used

in diagnostic medicine.

What happens to selenium when it enters the

environment?

‘ Selenium occurs naturally in the environment and can be

released by both natural and manufacturing processes.

‘ Selenium dust can enter the air from burning coal and oil.

This selenium dust will eventually settle over the land and

water.

‘ It also enters water from rocks and soil, and from

agricultural and industrial waste. Some selenium compounds

will dissolve in water, and some will settle to the bottom as

particles.

‘ Insoluble forms of selenium will remain in soil, but soluble

forms are very mobile and may enter surface water from

soils.

‘ Selenium may accumulate up the food chain.

How might I be exposed to selenium?

‘ The general population is exposed to very low levels of

selenium in air, food, and water. The majority of the daily

intake comes from food.

‘ People working in or living near industries where selenium

is produced, processed, or converted into commercial

products may be exposed to higher levels of selenium in the

air.

‘ People living in the vicinity of hazardous waste sites or

coal burning plants may also be exposed to higher levels of

selenium.

How can selenium affect my health?

Selenium has both beneficial and harmful effects. Low doses

of selenium are needed to maintain good health. However,

exposure to high levels can cause adverse health effects.

Short-term oral exposure to high concentrations of selenium

may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chronic oral

exposure to high concentrations of selenium compounds can

produce a disease called selenosis. The major signs of

selenosis are hair loss, nail brittleness, and neurological

abnormalities (such as numbness and other odd sensations

CAS # 7782-49-2

SELENIUM
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Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and

Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-

8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR can

tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and

treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health

or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

in the extremities).

Brief exposures to high levels of elemental selenium or

selenium dioxide in air can result in respiratory tract irritation,

bronchitis, difficulty breathing, and stomach pains. Longerterm exposure to either of these air-borne forms can cause

respiratory irritation, bronchial spasms, and coughing.

Levels of these forms of selenium that would be necessary to

produce such effects are normally not seen outside of the

workplace.

Animal studies have shown that very high amounts of

selenium can affect sperm production and the female

reproductive cycle. We do not know if similar effects would

occur in humans.

How likely is selenium to cause cancer?

Studies of laboratory animals and people show that most

selenium compounds probably do not cause cancer. In fact,

studies in humans suggest that lower-than-normal selenium

levels in the diet might increase the risk of cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has

determined that selenium and selenium compounds are not

classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans.

The EPA has determined that one specific form of selenium,

selenium sulfide, is a probable human carcinogen. Selenium

sulfide is not present in foods and is a very different

chemical from the organic and inorganic selenium compounds

found in foods and in the environment.

How can selenium affect children?

It is likely that the health effects seen in children exposed to

selenium will be similar to the effects seen in adults.

However, one study found that children may be less

susceptible to the health effects of selenium than adults.

Selenium compounds have not been shown to cause birth

defects in humans or in other mammals.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to

selenium?

‘ Certain dietary supplements and shampoos contain

selenium; these should be used according to the

manufacturer’s directions.

‘ Children living near waste sites that contain selenium or

coal burning plants should be encouraged to wash their

hands before eating and to avoid putting their unwashed

hands in their mouths.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to selenium?

Low levels of selenium are normally found in body tissues

and urine. Blood and urine tests for selenium are most

useful for people who have recently been exposed to high

levels. Toenail clippings can be used to determine longerterm exposure. These tests are not usually available at your

doctor’s office, but your doctor can send the samples to a

laboratory that can perform the tests. None of these tests,

however, can predict whether you will experience any health

effects.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA restricts the amount of selenium allowed in public

water supplies to 50 parts total selenium per billion parts of

water (50 ppb).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

sets a limit of 0.2 mg selenium/m3 of workroom air for an

8-hour work shift.

ATSDR and the EPA have determined that 5 micrograms of

selenium per kilogram of body weight taken daily would not

be expected to cause any adverse health effects over a

lifetime of such intake.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 2003. Toxicological Profile for Selenium (Update)

Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Public Health Service.

SELENIUM

CAS # 7782-49-2
HIGHLIGHTS: Silver is an element found naturally in the environment. At very

high levels, it may cause argyria, a blue-gray discoloration of the skin and other

organs. This chemical has been found in at least 27 of the 1,177 National Priorities

List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs July 1999

SILVER

CAS # 7440-22-4

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about silver. For more information,

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries

about hazardous substances and their health effects. It’s important you understand this information because

this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the

duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

What is silver?

(Pronounced s1lìvÖr)

Silver is a naturally occurring element. It is found in the

environment combined with other elements such as sulfide,

chloride, and nitrate. Pure silver is “silver” colored, but silver

nitrate and silver chloride are powdery white and silver sulfide and silver oxide are dark-gray to black. Silver is often

found as a by-product during the retrieval of copper, lead,

zinc, and gold ores.

Silver is used to make jewelry, silverware, electronic

equipment, and dental fillings. It is also used to make photographs, in brazing alloys and solders, to disinfect drinking

water and water in swimming pools, and as an antibacterial

agent. Silver has also been used in lozenges and chewing gum

to help people stop smoking.

What happens to silver when is enters the

environment?

q Silver may be released into the air and water through

natural processes such as the weathering of rocks.

q Human activities such as the processing of ores, cement

manufacture, and the burning of fossil fuel may release

silver into the air.

q It may be released into water from photographic processing.

q Rain may wash silver out of soil into the groundwater.

q Silver does not appear to concentrate to a significant

extent in aquatic animals.

How might I be exposed to silver?

q Breathing low levels in air.

q Swallowing it in food or drinking water.

q Carrying out activities such as jewelry-making, soldering, and photography.

q Using anti-smoking lozenges or other medicines containing it.

How can silver affect my health?

Exposure to high levels of silver for a long period of time

may result in a condition called arygria, a blue-gray discoloration of the skin and other body tissues. Lower-level exposures to silver may also cause silver to be deposited in the

skin and other parts of the body; however, this is not known

to be harmful. Argyria is a permanent effect, but it appears to

be a cosmetic problem that may not be otherwise harmful to

health.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Page 2

Federal Recycling Program Printed on Recycled Paper

ToxFAQs Internet home page via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html

Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone:1-888-422-8737,

FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ATSDR can tell you

where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses

resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

SILVER

CAS # 7440-22-4

Exposure to high levels of silver in the air has resulted in

breathing problems, lung and throat irritation, and stomach

pains. Skin contact with silver can cause mild allergic reactions

such as rash, swelling, and inflammation in some people.

Animal studies have shown that swallowing silver results

in the deposit of silver in the skin. One study in mice found

that the animals exposed to silver in drinking water were less

active than unexposed animals.

No studies are available on whether silver affects reproduction or causes developmental problems in people.

How likely is silver to cause cancer?

No studies are available on whether silver may cause cancer in people. The only available animal studies showed both

positive and negative results when silver was implanted under

the skin.

The EPA has determined that silver is not classifiable as to

human carcinogenicity.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been

exposed to silver?

Silver can be measured in the blood, urine, feces, and body

tissues of exposed people. Silver builds up in the body, and the

best way to learn if past exposure has occurred is to look for

silver in samples of skin. Tests for silver are not commonly

done at a doctor’s office because they require special equipment. Although doctors can find out if a person has been exposed to silver by doing these tests, they cannot tell whether

any health effects will occur.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA recommends that the concentration of silver in

drinking water not exceed 0.10 milligrams per liter of water

(0.10 mg/L) because of the skin discoloration that may occur.

The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases of

1,000 pounds or more of silver be reported to the EPA.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) limits silver in workplace air to 0.01 milligrams per

cubic meter (0.01 mg/m3) for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour

workweek. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) also recommends that workplace air contain

no more that 0.01 mg/m3 silver.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends that workplace air contain

no more than 0.1 mg/m3 silver metal and 0.01 mg/m3 soluble

silver compounds.

The federal recommendations have been updated as of

July 1999.

Glossary

Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.

CAS: Chemcial Abstracts Service.

Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.

National Priorities List: A list of the nation's worst hazardous

waste sites.

Soluble: Capable of being dissolved in water.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR). 1990. Toxicological profile for silver. Atlanta, GA:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health

Service.
SUMMARY: Exposure to thallium occurs mainly from eating food. Exposure to

higher levels of thallium may occur in the workplace. Breathing high levels of

thallium may result in effects on the nervous system, while ingesting high levels

of it results in vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss, and other effects. This

chemical has been found in at least 210 of 1,416 National Priorities List sites

identified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about thallium. For more

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of

summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. This information is important because

this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose,

the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

What is thallium?

(Pronounced th2lì¶-Öm)

Pure thallium is a bluish-white metal that is found in trace

amounts in the earth’s crust. In the past, thallium was obtained as a by-product from smelting other metals; however, it

has not been produced in the United States since 1984.

Currently, all the thallium is obtained from imports and from

thallium reserves.

In its pure form, thallium is odorless and tasteless. It can

also be found combined with other substances such as

bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and iodine. When it's combined,

it appears colorless-to-white or yellow.

Thallium is used mostly in manufacturing electronic

devices, switches, and closures, primarily for the semiconductor industry. It also has limited use in the manufacture of

special glass and for certain medical procedures.

What happens to thallium when it enters the

environment?

q Thallium enters the environment primarily from coalburning and smelting, in which it is a trace contaminant

of the raw materials.

q It stays in the air, water, and soil for a long time and is not

broken down.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs September 1995

q Some thallium compounds are removed from the atmosphere in rain and snow.

q It's absorbed by plants and enters the food chain.

q It builds up in fish and shellfish.

How might I be exposed to thallium?

q Eating food contaminated with thallium may be a major

source of exposure for most people.

q Breathing workplace air in industries that use thallium

q Smoking cigarettes.

q Living near hazardous waste sites containing thallium

(may result in higher than normal exposures).

q Touching or, for children, eating soil contaminated with

thallium.

q Breathing low levels in air and water.

How can thallium affect my health?

Exposure to high levels of thallium can result in harmful

health effects. A study on workers exposed on the job over

several years reported nervous system effects, such as numbness of fingers and toes, from breathing thallium.

Studies in people who ingested large amounts of thallium

over a short time have reported vomiting, diarrhea, temporary

hair loss, and effects on the nervous system, lungs, heart, liver,

THALLIUM

CAS # 7440-28-0

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Page 2

Federal Recycling Program Printed on Recycled Paper

Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-8737, FAX:

770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ATSDR can tell you where to find

occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from

exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if

you have any more questions or concerns.

ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html

These tests require special equipment that is not usually

available in most doctor’s offices. In addition, these tests

cannot determine if adverse health effects will occur from the

exposure to thallium.

Has the federal government made

recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA requires that discharges or accidental spills into

the environment of 1,000 pounds or more of thallium be

reported.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) has set an exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic

meter (0.1 mg/m3) for thallium in workplace air. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

(ACGIH) has established the same guidelines as OSHA for the

workplace.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) has recommended that 15 mg/m3

 of thallium

be considered immediately dangerous to life and health.

This is the exposure level of a chemical that is likely to cause

permanent health problems or death.

Glossary

Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.

Ingesting: Taking food or drink into your body.

Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

1992. Toxicological profile for thallium. Atlanta, GA: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health

Service.

THALLIUM

CAS # 7440-28-0

and kidneys. It has caused death. It is not known what the

effects are from ingesting low levels of thallium over a long

time.

Birth defects were not reported in the children of mothers

exposed to low levels from eating vegetables and fruits

contaminated with thallium. Studies in rats, however,

exposed to high levels of thallium, showed adverse developmental effects.

It is not known if breathing or ingesting thallium affects

human reproduction. Studies showed that rats that ingested

thallium for several weeks had some adverse reproductive

effects. Animal data suggest that the male reproductive

system may be susceptible to damage by low levels of

thallium.

There is no information available on the health effects of

skin contact with thallium in people or animals.

How likely is thallium to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services, the

International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified

thallium as to its human carcinogenicity.

No studies are available in people or animals on the

carcinogenic effects of breathing, ingesting, or touching

thallium.

Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve

been exposed to thallium?

There are medical tests available to measure levels of

thallium in urine and hair. In addition, thallium can also be

measured in blood; however, this is not a good indicator of

exposure since thallium only stays in blood a very short time.