NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Zirconium compounds (as Zr)

CAS 7440-67-7 (Metal)

Zr (Metal)

RTECS ZH7070000 (Metal)
Synonyms & Trade Names
Zirconium metal: Zirconium
Synonyms of other zirconium compounds vary depending upon the specific compound.
DOT ID & Guide
1358 170 (powder, wet)
1932 135 (scrap)
2008 135 (powder, dry)

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL*: TWA 5 mg/m3 ST 10 mg/m3 [*Note: The REL applies to all zirconium compounds (as Zr) except Zirconium tetrachloride.]
OSHA PEL†: TWA 5 mg/m3
IDLH 50 mg/m3 (as Zr) See: IDLH INDEX Conversion
Physical Description
Metal: Soft, malleable, ductile, solid or gray to gold, amorphous powder.
MW: 91.2
BP: 6471°F
MLT: 3375°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 6.51 (Metal)
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Metal: Combustible, but solid form is difficult to ignite; however, powder form may ignite SPONTANEOUSLY and can continue burning under water.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Potassium nitrate, oxidizers [Note: Fine powder may be stored completely immersed in water.]
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 7300, 7301, 9102; OSHA ID121
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation (See protection)
Recommendations regarding personal protective clothing vary depending upon the specific compound.
Recommendations regarding eye protection vary depending upon the specific compound.
Recommendations regarding washing the skin vary depending upon the specific compound.
Recommendations regarding the removal of personal protective clothing that becomes wet or contaminated vary depending upon the specific compound.
Recommendations regarding the daily changing of personal protective clothing vary depending upon the specific compound.
Recommendations regarding the need for eyewash or quick drench facilities vary depending upon the specific compound.
First Aid (See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Important additional information about respirator selection
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA
Up to 25 mg/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Up to 50 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 25) Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters./Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Skin, lung granulomas; in animals: irritation skin, mucous membrane; X-ray evidence of retention in lungs
Target Organs Skin, respiratory system
See also: INTRODUCTION   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0247