Silicon

Agent Name
Silicon
CAS Number
7440-21-3
Formula
Si
Major Category
Mineral Dusts
Synonyms
Elemental silicon; [NIOSH]
Category
Other Mineral Dusts
Description
Black to gray, lustrous, needle-like crystals. [Note: The amorphous form is a dark-brown powder.]; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used to synthesize silanes and silicones; to produce ferrosilicon and silicon copper alloys; and to manufacture transistors, diodes, and semiconductors. [ACGIH] Does not occur free in nature, but is found in silicon dioxide (silica) & in various silicates.
Comments
There is little evidence that silicon dust can cause adverse pulmonary effects "when exposures are kept under reasonable control." [ACGIH] Documentation and TLV withdrawn in 2006 because of insufficient data; [ACGIH]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

PEL (OSHA)
15 mg/m3(total dust), 5 mg/m3(respirable fraction)
Explanatory Notes
The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "silicon powder, amorphous." Adopted Documentation and TLVs were withdrawn in 2006 due to insufficient data. [ACGIH]

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: