Iron oxides – calculated on Fe Documentation of proposed values of occupational exposure limits (OELs)

Abstract

Iron (III) oxide, (Fe2O3, nr CAS 1309-37-1) in natural conditions occurs as iron ore. The most common (hematite) contains about 70% pure iron. Iron (III) oxide is used as a red dye in ceramics, glass and paper industries and as a raw material for abrasive metalworking (cutting). Iron (II) oxide, (FeO, CAS 1345-25-1) occurs as a mineral wurtzite and is used as a black dye in cosmetics and as a component of tattoo ink. Iron (II) iron (III) oxide (Fe3O4, CAS 1309-38-2; 1317- -61-9) is a common mineral. It has strong magnetic properties (so called magnetite). It occurs in igneous rocks (gabbro, basalt). It is the richest and the best iron ore for industry. Occupational exposure to iron oxides occurs in the mining and metallurgical industry in the production of iron, steel and its products. Welders, locksmiths, lathes and workers employed in milling ores and polishing silver are exposed to iron oxides. According to data from the State Sanitary Inspection, in 2013, 389 people in Poland were exposed to iron oxide in concentrations exceeding the current NDS (5 mg/m3) and in 2014 – 172 people. After single and multiple intratracheal and inhalation exposure of animals, transient intensification of oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions were reported. Iron (III) oxide did not cause genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. In literature, there are no data on its effects on fertility, reproduction and pregnancy. Data on chronic toxicity of iron oxides for humans exposed in working environment are limited. In epidemiological studies, all information presented in the documentation comes from observations of people exposed to the combined effects of iron oxides and other factors. It is not stated whether occupational exposure was related to the specific iron oxide and to what concentrations workers were exposed. The most commonly encountered toxic effect in the occupational exposure of iron ore miners and iron welders and welders was minor lung fibrosis lesions and iron-silicon dust (as seen in the RTG study). Siderose is the occupational disease of miners and iron ore metallurgists. Moreover, cases of lung cancer have been reported in miners, steel workers and welders, but they were caused by total exposure to other compounds, including radioactive radon, carcinogenic chromium, manganese, nickel, other oxides (SiO2, ZnO, CO, NO, NO2, MgO) as well as exhaust gases from diesel engines. According to IARC, iron (III) oxide belongs to group 3 (cannot be classified as carcinogenic to humans). Iron (III) oxides can accumulate in a lung tissue, this process may be responsible for the occurrence of fibrosis sites, particularly in higher parts of external lung parts. These effects were visible in the X-ray examination only. Pneumoconiosis (siderosis) caused by exposure to iron oxides is usually asymptomatic (lack of clinical symptoms and changes in lung function parameters). The basis for the proposed MAC-TWA value for inhalable iron oxide fraction was NOAEL of 10 mg Fe/m3. People exposed for more than 10 years to iron (III) oxide had no pulmonary changes. After application of an uncertainty factor of 2 (for differences in personal sensitivity in humans), the MAC-TWA value for the iron oxide fraction was proposed at 5 mg/m3 (calculated as Fe). The same observations on humans were the basis for calculating the MAC-TWA value for respirable fraction of iron (III) oxide. On 12% of workers exposed to respirable fraction at mean concentrations of 10 ÷ 15 mg/m3, changes in pulmonary X-ray were observed. The value of 10 mg/m3 was assumed as LOAEL. After applying the appropriate uncertainty coefficients, the MAC-TWA value for the iron oxide respirable fraction was proposed at 2.5 mg/m3. The authors propose to leave the short-term value (STEL) of 10 mg/m3 for inhaled fraction for iron oxides and to introduce STEL value of 5 mg/m3 for respirable fraction. It is recommended to label the substances with "I" - irritant substance.