Most iron objects eventually rust.
Rust is a substance most people encounter almost daily, whether on a car, a fence or some other object made of iron. Most people think of rust as a nuisance rather than a health hazard, and this point is normally the case. However, ferric oxide, the chemical that makes up rust, can be harmful under some circumstances.
Identification
Rust is the result of a complex chemical reaction involving iron, water and oxygen from the air. This compound is a result of iron (Fe) atoms combining with oxygen (O), and it has the chemical formula of Fe2O3. Its formal name is iron (III) oxide. The (III) in its name shows that the iron atom in this molecule has lost three electrons to the oxygen atoms. Other metals, such as aluminum, also combine with oxygen, but rust is particularly damaging to objects since ferric oxide does not cling to the metal once it forms, but tends to flake off.
Potential Hazards
Rust particulates can be irritating to the eyes, like any dust. Ferric oxide can also cause an upset stomach, but only if you ingest it in large quantities. The main hazard of ferric oxide is inhaling it as a fine dust or fumes. Inhalation causes lung irritation and coughing. Long-term inhalation causes a condition known as siderosis where iron is deposited in the lungs, although this condition is normally considered benign and does not necessarily lead to physical problems.
Exposure Limits
Various regulatory bodies set exposure limits for chemicals in the workplace, including for ferric oxide. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a limit of 5 mg of iron oxide dust or fumes per cubic meter of air (m^3). This limit is the maximum average concentration of ferric oxide in air that a worker can inhale without using protective equipment over the course of a workday.
Protective Measures
If a worker is exposed to ferric oxide in air at levels of up to 50 mg/m^3, then NIOSH recommends that the worker use a respirator equipped with a particulate filter. Between 50 mg/m^3 and 125 mg/m^3, a worker can use a supplied air respirator. At higher levels, NIOSH calls for either a supplied air, self-contained or powered air purifying respirator. A concentration of more than 2500 mg/m^3 is considered immediately dangerous to life and health and requires a positive pressure supplied air respirator.
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