Lithium hydride

Synonyms

Lithium monohydride; [NIOSH] UN1414 UN2805

Category

Metal Hydrides

Description

Odorless, off-white to gray, translucent, crystalline mass or white powder; [NIOSH] Potent hygroscopic properties; [ACGIH]

Sources/Uses

Used as an intermediate for chemical synthesis, a desiccating agent, and to make ceramics and special glass; Used as a coolant and shielding material in nuclear energy production; [ACGIH]

Comments

Inhalation of aerosol can induce pulmonary edema. [ICSC] Burns to the skin appear worse than those caused by an equivalent amount of sodium hydroxide. [CHRIS] The TLV Basis is irritation (eye and respiratory tract); A worker inhaled lithium hydride fuel for 3 to 4 minutes and developed noncardiac pulmonary edema with subsequent full recovery; [ACGIH] See "Lithium deuteride."

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

0.05 mg/m3, inhalable fraction

0.025 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been recommended that 0.5 mg/m3 is the maximum tolerable concentration for brief periods of exposure [AIHA 1964].

LCLo (rat) = 10 mg/m3/4H

Explanatory Notes

VP = 0 mm Hg at 20 deg C; [HSDB]

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

25 ug/m3

100 ug/m3

500 ug/m3

Yes

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic