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Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Osmium tetroxide

RTECS #

RN1140000

CAS #

20816-12-0

Updated

September 201

Molecular Weight

254.20

Molecular Formula

O4Os

Synonyms

Osmic acid
Osmium tetroxide (ACGIH:OSHA)
Osmium(VIII) oxide
RCRA waste number P087

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
DNA repair/Bacillus subtilis5 mmol/LMUREAV 77,109,1980
Unscheduled DNA Synthesisembryo/hamster200 µmol/LMUREAV 131,173,1984

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
intratesticular/rat 20336 µg/kg (1D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct		JRPFA4 7,21,1964
subcutaneous/mouse 20336 µg/kg (30D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct		JRPFA4 7,21,1964

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/man lowest published toxic concentration: 133 µg/m3Eye: Lacrimation

Eye: Other eye effects

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi		BJIMAG 3,183,1946
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 40 ppm/4HSCCUR* -,8,1961
inhalation/rabbit Lowest published lethal concentration: 1316 mg/m3/30MBehavioral: Coma

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes		JIDHAN 15,136,1933
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 40 ppm/4HSCCUR* -,8,1961
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 13500 µg/kgSCCUR* -,8,1961
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 14100 µg/kgSCCUR* -,8,1961
ocular/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 0.25 mg/kgEye: Corneal damageVCVN5* -,526,1989
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 162 mg/kgSCCUR* -,8,1961

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.0002 ppm(Os);short term exposure limit 0.0006 ppm(Os)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWISMEA* 9,750,2007

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.002 mg/m3DTLVS* 3,192,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.0016 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.0006 ppm (0.0047 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3);KZW 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.0016 mg(Os)/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 0.0006 ppm (0.0048 mg(Os)/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDshort term exposure limit 0.0002 ppm, skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 0.002 mg(Os)/m3, short term exposure limit 0.002 mg(Os)/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.0002 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.0006 ppm (0.0006 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm;short term exposure limit 0.0006 ppm, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.0016 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,0002 ppm (0,002 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 0,0006 ppm (0,006 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 0.0002 ppm (0.002 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.002 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.002 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.0002 ppm (2 µg/m3);short term exposure limit 0.0006 ppm (6 µg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.002 mg(Os)/m3CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.002 mg(Os)/m3CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.002 mg(Os)/m3CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.002 mg(Os)/m3CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO OSMIUM TETROXIDE-air10H time-weighted average 0.0002 ppm;short term exposure limit 0.0006 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 52370; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 87; Number of Occupations 5; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1733; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 420
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 52370; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 195; Number of Occupations 2; Total Number of Employees Exposed 370

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: D melanogaster Sex-linked lethal
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: B subtilis rec assay
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
On EPA IRIS database

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