Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
														Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





PORTLAND CEMENT								Related Pages
										*OSHA comments from the January 19, 1989 Final Rule on Air Contaminants Project extracted from 54FR2332 et. seq. This rule was remanded by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the limits are not currently in force.*
**CAS:** 65997-15-1; **Chemical Formula:** None
OSHA formerly had a limit of 50 mppcf (approximately 15 mg/m3) for Portland cement containing less than 1 percent crystalline silica. The ACGIH has a TLV-TWA of 10 mg/m3 for Portland cement as total dust containing less than 1 percent quartz. The proposed PEL was 10 mg/m3, measured as total particulate, and this is the limit established in the final rule; the 5-mg/m3 respirable fraction limit is retained. Portland cement refers to a class of hydraulic cements that are odorless gray powders containing less than 1 percent crystalline silica. Portland cement is insoluble in water and contains tri- and dicalcium silicate, in addition to varying amounts of alumina, tricalcium aluminate, and iron oxide.
Intraperitoneal injection of Portland cement in guinea pigs produced an absorptive reaction, which is an effect typical of inert particulates. Portland cement is eventually eliminated from the tissue and is generally not considered harmful when ingested (Miller and Sayers 1941/Ex. 1-595).
In a study of industrial exposures, Gardner and associates (1939/Ex. 1-589) found no evidence of Portland-cement-related pneumoconiosis in 2,278 workers who had been heavily exposed to this substance for prolonged periods of time (Gardner, Durkan, Brumfiel, and Sampson 1939/Ex. 1-589). Conflicting reports of pneumoconiosis (Parmeggiani 1951, as cited in ACGIH 1986/ Ex. 1-3, p. 494; Prosperi and Barsi 1957/Ex. 1-1093) are attributed to the presence of silica in the inhaled dust rather than to exposure to Portland cement itself (ACGIH 1986/Ex. 1-3, p. 494). Cement dermatitis does occur among exposed workers, however, as a consequence of the alkaline, abrasive, and hygroscopic properties of the wet cement, which cause irritation of the skin (Schwartz, Tulipan, and Birmingham 1957a/Ex. 1-1168). NIOSH, the only commenter on this substance, reported that it has not thoroughly reviewed the health effects for Portland cement (Ex. 8-47, Table N4).
OSHA is establishing 8-hour TWA PELs of 10 mg/m3 (total particulate) and 5 mg/m3 (respirable fraction) for Portland cement containing less than 1 percent quartz. The Agency concludes that these limits will protect workers against the significant risks associated with on-the-job exposures to Portland cement dust. These risks include eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritation, and may include more severe respiratory effects, all of which constitute material health impairments. In addition, revising the total particulate limit to 10 mg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA will simplify employee exposure monitoring for Portland cement, since gravimetric rather than impinger methods can then be used.
										
							
								Page last reviewed:  September 28, 2011						Content source:  	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH
1988 OSHA PEL Project Documentation
Index of Chemical Names
Index of CAS Numbers Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue