Date of Issue:

23 September 2021

SAFETY DATA SHEET

1. SUBSTANCE AND SOURCE IDENTIFICATION
Product Identifier
RM Number: 8044
RM Name: Common Commercial Asbestos: Chrysotile
Other Means of Identification: Not applicable.
Recommended Use of This Material and Restrictions of Use
This reference material (RM) is intended for harmonizing optical microscopy methods used in the identification
of chrysotile asbestos in bulk materials, specifically manufactured building materials. A unit of RM 8044
consists of one bottle of loosely packed mine-grade chrysotile asbestos. Each bottle contains approximately
2.6 g of material.
Company Information
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Standard Reference Materials Program
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2300
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2300

Telephone: 301-975-2200 Emergency Telephone ChemTrec:

E-mail: SRMMSDS@nist.gov 1-800-424-9300 (North America)
Website: https://www.nist.gov/srm +1-703-527-3887 (International)

2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Classification
Physical Hazard: Not classified.
Health Hazard: Carcinogen Category 1
STOT, Repeated Exposure Category 1
Label Elements
Symbol

Signal Word
DANGER
Hazard Statement(s):
H350 May cause lung cancer.
H372 Causes damage to lungs through prolonged or repeated inhalation.
Precautionary Statement(s):
P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P260 Do not breathe dust.
P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection.
P308 + P313 If exposed or concerned: Get medical attention.
P405 Store locked up.
P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
Hazards Not Otherwise Classified: Not applicable.
RM 8044 Page 1 of 7
 Ingredients(s) with Unknown Acute Toxicity: Not applicable.

3. COMPOSITION AND INFORMATION ON HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

Substance: Chrysotile
Other Designations: Asbestos, chrysotile, serpentine chrysotile, white asbestos
Components are listed in compliance with OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1200; for the actual values see the NIST Reference
Material Information Sheet.
Hazardous Component(s) CAS Number EC Number Nominal Mass Concentration
(EINECS) (%)
Chrysotile 12001-29-5 601-650-3 >95

Non-hazardous CAS Number EC Number Nominal Mass Concentration

Component(s) (EINECS) (%)
Magnetite 1309-38-2 215-169-8 <5

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Description of First Aid Measures:
Inhalation: If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial respiration if not breathing.
Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Thoroughly clean and dry contaminated
clothing before reuse.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. If necessary, seek medical attention.
Ingestion: If adverse effects occur after ingestion, seek medical treatment.
Most Important Symptoms/Effects, Acute and Delayed: May cause irritation, lung damage, asbestosis, and cancer.
Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary: If any of the above
symptoms are present, seek medical attention if needed.

5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Fire and Explosion Hazards: Negligible fire hazard. See Section 9, “Physical and Chemical Properties” for
flammability properties.
Extinguishing Media:
Suitable: Use extinguishing agents appropriate for surrounding fire.
Unsuitable: None listed.
Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical: None listed.
Special Protective Equipment and Precautions for Fire-Fighters: Avoid inhalation of material or combustion
byproducts. Wear full protective clothing and NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
NFPA Ratings (0 = Minimal; 1 = Slight; 2 = Moderate; 3 = Serious; 4 = Severe)
Health = 1 Fire = 0 Reactivity = 0

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal Precautions, Protective Equipment and Emergency Procedures: Use suitable protective equipment;
see Section 8, “Exposure Controls and Personal Protection”.
Methods and Materials for Containment and Clean up: Collect spilled material in appropriate container for
disposal. Keep out of water supplies and sewers. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

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Safe Handling Precautions: Minimize dust generation. See Section 8, “Exposure Controls and Personal Protection”.
Storage: Store and handling in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Keep separated from
incompatible substances (See Section 10, “Stability and Reactivity”).

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION

Exposure Limits:
ACGIH (TLV): 0.1 fiber/cc 8-hr TWA
OSHA (PEL): 0.1 fiber/cc 8-hr TWA, 1.0 fiber/cc 30-minute
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure compliance with
applicable exposure limits.
Personal Protection: In accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, subpart I, wear appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure to this material.
Respiratory Protection: If workplace conditions warrant a respirator, a respiratory protection program that
meets OSHA 29CFR 1910.134 must be followed. Refer to NIOSH 42 CFR 84 for applicable certified respirators.
Eye/Face Protection: Wear splash resistant safety goggles with a face shield. An eyewash station should be
readily available near areas of use.
Skin and Body Protection: Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the task
being performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling this product.
Chemical-resistant gloves should be worn at all times when handling chemicals.

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Descriptive Properties Chrysotile

Appearance (physical state,
color, etc.) white fibrous
Molecular Formula Mg3Si2H4O9 or Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 or H4Mg3O9Si2
Molar Mass (g/mol) 277.11
Odor Odorless
Odor threshold not available
pH not applicable
Evaporation rate not applicable
Melting point/freezing point
(ºC) dehydrates above 600 (1112 °F)
Relative Density as specific
gravity (water = 1) 2.45
Vapor Pressure (mmHg) not available
Vapor Density (air = 1) not applicable
Viscosity (cP) not applicable
Solubility(ies) very slightly soluble in water
Partition coefficient (n-
octanol/water) not available
Particle Size (if relevant) not available

RM 8044 Page 3 of 7
 Thermal Stability Properties
Autoignition Temperature not applicable
Thermal Decomposition not available
Initial boiling point and boiling
range (ºC) not available
Explosive Limits, LEL (Volume
%) not applicable
Explosive Limits, UEL (Volume
%) not applicable
Flash Point not applicable
Flammability (solid, gas) not applicable

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Reactivity: Stable at normal temperatures and pressure.
Stability: X Stable Unstable
Possible Hazardous Reactions: None listed.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid generating dust.
Incompatible Materials: None
Fire/Explosion Information: See Section 5, “Fire Fighting Measures”.
Hazardous Decomposition: None
Hazardous Polymerization: Will Occur X Will Not Occur

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Route of Exposure: X Inhalation Skin Ingestion
Symptoms Related to the Physical, Chemical and Toxicological Characteristics: May cause irritation, lung
damage, asbestosis, and cancer.
Potential Health Effects (Acute, Chronic and Delayed)
Inhalation: May cause irritation due to mechanical abrasion. Extreme exposures can result in temporary
difficulty in breathing. Chronic overexposure has caused damage to lungs (asbestosis), lung cancer and
mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum. Pleural thickening, plaques and effusion are nondisabling conditions,
seen separately or together, that have been associated with prolonged asbestos exposure. The risk of lung cancer
is greatly increased for those who smoke cigarettes regularly in addition to having asbestos exposures.
Skin Contact: May cause irritation due to mechanical abrasion. Asbestos splinters may penetrate the skin and
cause asbestos “corns.”
Eye Contact: May cause irritation due to mechanical abrasion.
Ingestion: No data available.
Numerical Measures of Toxicity
Acute Toxicity: Not classified; no data available.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Not classified; no data available.
Serious Eye damage/ Eye irritation: Not classified; no data available.
Respiratory Sensitization: Not classified; no data available.
Skin Sensitization: Not classified; no data available.
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Not classified; no data available.
Carcinogenicity: Category 1
Listed as a Carcinogen/Potential Carcinogen X Yes No
Asbestos is listed by IARC and NTP as a human carcinogen. Asbestos is listed by OSHA as a designated
carcinogen.

RM 8044 Page 4 of 7
 Human, Inhalation TCLO: 2.8 fibers/cc (5 years)
Rat, Inhalation-Intermittent TCLO: 8 210 g/m3 (6 h to 20 d)
Rat, Oral-Continuous TDLO: 10 867 mg/kg (78 weeks)
Reproductive Toxicity: Not classified.
STOT, Single Exposure: Not classified; no data available.
STOT, Repeated Exposure: Category 1; Cumulative exposure may result in reduced lung capacity and
asbestosis.
Aspiration Hazard: Not classified.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Ecotoxicity Data: No data available.
Persistence and Degradability: No data available.
Bioaccumulative Potential: No data available.
Mobility in Soil: No data available.
Other Adverse effects: No data available.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

U.S. DOT and IATA: Asbestos, chrysotile, UN2590, Hazard Class 9, Packing Group III, Excepted Quantity E0.

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

U.S. Regulations:
CERCLA Sections 102a/103 (40 CFR 302.4): 1 lb final RQ (friable, Asbestos).
SARA Title III Section 302 (40 CFR 355.30): Not regulated.
SARA Title III Section 304 (40 CFR 355.40): Not regulated.
SARA Title III Section 313 (40 CFR 372.65): 0.1% de minimis concentration (friable, Asbestos).
OSHA Process Safety (29 CFR 1910.119): Not regulated.
SARA Title III Sections 311/312 Hazardous Categories (40 CFR 370.21):
ACUTE HEALTH: No.
CHRONIC HEALTH: Yes.
FIRE: No.
REACTIVE: No.
PRESSURE: No.
State Regulations:
California Proposition 65: WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to
cause cancer.
U.S. TSCA Inventory: Asbestos and magnetite are listed.
TSCA 12(b), Export Notification: Not listed.
Canadian Regulations:
WHMIS Information: Not provided for this material.

16. OTHER INFORMATION

Issue Date: 23 September 2021
Sources: U.S. National Library of Medicine, ChemIDplus Database; Chrysotile; available at
https://chem.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/name/chrysotile (accessed Sep 2021).

RM 8044 Page 5 of 7
 Vendor SDS; SDS Chrysotile, 10 March 2016.

PubChem, National Library of Medicine, Chrysotile, available at

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/25477 (accessed Sep 2021).

U.S. Environmental Agency, Consolidated List of Lists under EPCRA/CERCLA/CAA §112(r) (August
2020 Version); available at https://www.epa.gov/epcra/consolidated-list-lists-under-epcracerclacaa-
ss112r-august-2020-version (accessed Sep 2021).

RM 8044 Page 6 of 7
Key of Acronyms:

ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
Hygienists
ALI Annual Limit on Intake NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
CAS Chemical Abstracts Service NTP National Toxicology Program
CEN European Committee for Standardization OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
Compensation, and Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
CPSU Coal Mine Dust Personal Sample Unit REL Recommended Exposure Limit
DOT Department of Transportation RM Reference Material
EC50 Effective Concentration, 50 % RQ Reportable Quantity
EINECS European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical RTECS Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
Substances
EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
Act
IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
IATA International Air Transport Association SRM Standard Reference Material
IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health STEL Short Term Exposure Limit
ISO International Organization for Standardization STOT Specific Target Organ Toxicity
LC50 Lethal Concentration, 50 % TDLo Toxic Dose Low
LD50 Lethal Dose, 50 % TLV Threshold Limit Value
LEL Lower Explosive Limit TPQ Threshold Planning Quantity
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act
NFPA National Fire Protection Association TWA Time Weighted Average
MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration UEL Upper Explosive Limit
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Disclaimer: The NIST SDS information is specific to the NIST product and is believed to be correct, based upon
our current knowledge. The SDS may not necessarily be all inclusive and should be used only as a guide. NIST does
not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. The only official source for specific values and
uncertainties is the certificate or report.
Users of this RM should ensure that the SDS in their possession is current. This can be accomplished by contacting
the SRM Program: telephone (301) 975-2200; e-mail srmmsds@nist.gov; or via the Internet at
https://www.nist.gov/srm.

RM 8044 Page 7 of 7