No metadata available
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
1309-37-1
Formula
Fe₂O₃
Molecular Weight
159.69 g/mol
Exposure Limits Comparison
Health Effects
Siderosis
Yes
Respiratory Irritation
Yes
Benign Pneumoconiosis
Yes
Lung Discoloration
Yes
Ikmanda RoswatiPh.D.Indonesia
Ultrafast Laser Physics and Material InteractionsPublished
Jan 6, 2026
Iron Oxide Fume Compound
Iron Oxide Compound safety information for laser cleaning. Health hazards, exposure limits, and protective equipment requirements.
Chemical Properties
Detection Monitoring
- SensorTypes
- Particulate monitors (PM10/PM2.5)
- Personal air sampling pumps
- DetectionRange
- 0.1-100 mg/m³
- AlarmSetpoints
- Low
- 5 mg/m³ (NIOSH REL/ACGIH TLV)
- High
- 10 mg/m³ (OSHA PEL)
- Evacuate
- 2500 mg/m³ (NIOSH IDLH)
- ColorimetricTubes
- Not available - laboratory analysis required
- AnalyticalMethods
Method Technique DetectionLimit NIOSH 7300 ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma) 0.2 µg/sample NIOSH 7380 AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) 0.5 µg/sample OSHA ID-125G AAS 0.3 µg/sample - OdorThreshold
- Not applicable - odorless
Environmental Impact
- AquaticToxicity
- Low toxicity to aquatic life. LC50 (fish, 96h): >100 mg/L. May color water but minimal toxic effects.
- Biodegradability
- Not biodegradable (inorganic). Persists indefinitely.
- Bioaccumulation
- Low bioaccumulation. Essential element. Regulated by organisms.
- SoilMobility
- Low mobility. Common soil constituent. No significant environmental concern.
- AtmosphericFate
- Settles as particulate. Does not react in atmosphere. Component of natural dust.
- OzoneDepletion
- false
- ReportableReleases
- Water
- Not reportable (not CERCLA listed)
- Air
- Not reportable
Ppe Requirements
- Respiratory
- NIOSH-approved air-purifying respirator with P100 particulate filters for ≤50 mg/m³. PAPR for higher concentrations.
- Eye Protection
- Safety glasses with side shields. Welding goggles/helmet for welding operations.
- Skin Protection
- Leather or cotton gloves adequate for dust. Welding gloves for metal work.
Reactivity
- Stability
- Stable under normal conditions.
- Polymerization
- Will not polymerize
- IncompatibleMaterials
- Strong acids (generates hydrogen)
- Aluminum powder (thermite)
- Magnesium (thermite)
- Organic peroxides
- HazardousDecomposition
- Iron oxide fume
- Iron vapors at very high temperatures
- ConditionsToAvoid
- High heat
- Aluminum powder mixtures
- Strong acids
- ReactivityHazard
- Generally stable. Thermite reaction with aluminum powder produces extreme heat. Reacts with strong acids.
Regulatory Classification
- UnNumber
- None (not regulated as hazardous for transport)
- DotHazardClass
- Not classified
- DotLabel
- None
- NfpaCodes
- Health
- 1
- Flammability
- 0
- Reactivity
- 0
- Instability
- 0
- EpaHazardCategories
- Nuisance dust
- SaraTitleIii
- false
Contaminants That Produce Iron Oxide Fume
Iron Oxide Fume is produced as a gaseous or particulate byproduct during laser ablation of contaminated surfaces. The generation rate and chemical form depend on the source contaminant and substrate combination. Proper exhaust ventilation and gas monitoring ensure safe working concentrations in laser cleaning enclosures.
Chemical Properties
Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight, and chemical structure
- Type
- chemical_properties
- Id
- iron-oxide-physical-data
Physical Properties
Chemical and physical characteristics
- BoilingPoint
- 3414°C (6177°F) - decomposes
- MeltingPoint
- 1538-1565°C (2800-2849°F)
- VaporPressure
- Negligible at room temperature
- VaporDensity
- Not applicable (solid)
- SpecificGravity
- 5.24
- FlashPoint
- Not applicable
- AutoignitionTemp
- Not applicable
- ExplosiveLimits
- Not applicable
- Appearance
- Reddish-brown to black powder
- Odor
- Odorless
Alternative Names
Synonyms and chemical identifiers
- Synonyms
- Ferric oxide
- Hematite
- Iron(III) oxide
- Red iron oxide
- Rust
- CommonTradeNames
- Rouge
- Iron oxide fume
- OtherIdentifiers
- RtecsNumberNO7400000EcNumber215-168-2PubchemCid518696
Health Effects
Adverse health impacts from exposure to this compound
- Route
- inhalation
- Effect
- Respiratory tract irritation and potential for siderosis (benign pneumoconiosis)
- Severity
- moderate
- Onset
- short-term
- Route
- eye_contact
- Effect
- Mechanical irritation and redness
- Severity
- low
- Onset
- immediate
- Route
- skin_contact
- Effect
- Mechanical irritation or dryness
- Severity
- low
- Onset
- immediate
- Route
- ingestion
- Effect
- Gastrointestinal discomfort or constipation
- Severity
- low
- Onset
- short-term
Personal Protective Equipment
Required safety equipment for handling this compound
- Respiratory
- NIOSH-approved air-purifying respirator with P100 particulate filters for ≤50 mg/m³. PAPR for higher concentrations.
- Skin
- Leather or cotton gloves adequate for dust. Welding gloves for metal work.
- Eye
- Safety glasses with side shields. Welding goggles/helmet for welding operations.
- MinimumLevel
- Level D for dust <10 mg/m³, Level C for welding fume
- SpecialNotes
- Siderosis (iron dust pneumoconiosis) from chronic exposure. Welding fume contains mixed metal oxides - more hazardous than pure iron oxide.
Exposure Limits
OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH exposure thresholds
- OshaPelMgM3
- 10
- NioshRelMgM3
- 5
- AcgihTlvMgM3
- 5
- WorkplaceExposure
- OshaPeltwa8Hr: 10 mg/m³ (as Fe)stel15Min: nullceiling: nullNioshReltwa8Hr: 5 mg/m³ (as Fe)stel15Min: nullceiling: nullidlh: 2500 mg/m³ (fume)AcgihTlvtwa8Hr: 5 mg/m³ (as Fe)stel15Min: nullceiling: nullBiologicalExposureIndices
Storage Requirements
Safe storage conditions and compatibility
- TemperatureRange
- Store at room temperature
- Ventilation
- General ventilation adequate. Keep containers closed.
- Incompatibilities
- Strong acids
- Aluminum (thermite reaction)
- Magnesium
- ContainerMaterial
- Plastic or metal containers with tight lids.
- Segregation
- None required. Separate from strong acids and reactive metals.
- QuantityLimits
- None specified. Follow facility storage protocols.
- SpecialRequirements
- Keep containers closed when not in use. Store in dry area. Prevent dust accumulation.
Emergency Response
Procedures for spills, exposure, and incidents
- FireHazard
- Non-combustible. May release toxic metal oxide fumes when heated.
- FireSuppression
- Use agent appropriate for surrounding fire. Wear SCBA - toxic fumes possible.
- SpillProcedures
- Avoid generating dust. Sweep or vacuum with HEPA filter. Place in sealed containers. Generally non-hazardous waste unless contaminated.
- ExposureImmediateActions
- Remove from dusty area. If respiratory irritation: move to fresh air. Wash dust from skin and eyes. Generally low acute toxicity. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
- EnvironmentalHazards
- Generally low environmental hazard. May discolor water. Large spills may affect aquatic pH.
- SpecialHazards
- SIDEROSIS: Benign pneumoconiosis from chronic inhalation. X-ray opacities but no functional impairment. Reversible when exposure stops. Welding fume may contain other toxic metals (chromium, nickel, manganese).
Regulatory Classification
DOT, UN, and NFPA hazard classifications
- UnNumber
- None (not regulated as hazardous for transport)
- DotHazardClass
- Not classified
- DotLabel
- None
- NfpaCodes
- Health1Flammability0Reactivity0SpecialnullInstability0
- EpaHazardCategories
- Nuisance dust
- SaraTitleIii
- false
Environmental Impact
Toxicity, biodegradability, and environmental fate
- AquaticToxicity
- Low toxicity to aquatic life. LC50 (fish, 96h): >100 mg/L. May color water but minimal toxic effects.
- Biodegradability
- Not biodegradable (inorganic). Persists indefinitely.
- Bioaccumulation
- Low bioaccumulation. Essential element. Regulated by organisms.
- SoilMobility
- Low mobility. Common soil constituent. No significant environmental concern.
- AtmosphericFate
- Settles as particulate. Does not react in atmosphere. Component of natural dust.
- OzoneDepletion
- false
- ReportableReleases
- WaterNot reportable (not CERCLA listed)AirNot reportable
FAQ
Common Questions and Answers
What are the recommended exposure limits and protection methods for iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) fumes during laser cleaning operations?
- The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for iron oxide fume is 10 mg/m³ as iron (Fe) over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), while NIOSH recommends a lower limit of 5 mg/m³ to minimize respiratory irritation and potential siderosis from chronic exposure. To stay below these limits, operators should use local exhaust ventilation systems to capture fumes at the source and wear NIOSH-approved respirators with at least an N95 rating (or higher, like P100, for prolonged work). Regularly monitor air quality with real-time particle counters or personal sampling pumps to ensure compliance and adjust controls as needed.
Detection & Monitoring
Methods for detecting and measuring this compound
- SensorTypes
- Particulate monitors (PM10/PM2.5)
- Personal air sampling pumps
- DetectionRange
- 0.1-100 mg/m³
- AlarmSetpoints
- Low5 mg/m³ (NIOSH REL/ACGIH TLV)High10 mg/m³ (OSHA PEL)Evacuate2500 mg/m³ (NIOSH IDLH)
- ColorimetricTubes
- Not available - laboratory analysis required
- AnalyticalMethods
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
- [object Object]
- OdorThreshold
- Not applicable - odorless
Reactivity
Chemical reactivity and incompatibilities
- Stability
- Stable under normal conditions.
- Polymerization
- Will not polymerize
- IncompatibleMaterials
- Strong acids (generates hydrogen)
- Aluminum powder (thermite)
- Magnesium (thermite)
- Organic peroxides
- HazardousDecomposition
- Iron oxide fume
- Iron vapors at very high temperatures
- ConditionsToAvoid
- High heat
- Aluminum powder mixtures
- Strong acids
- ReactivityHazard
- Generally stable. Thermite reaction with aluminum powder produces extreme heat. Reacts with strong acids.
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