Graphite (natural)

Synonyms & Trade Names

Black lead, Mineral carbon, Plumbago, Silver graphite, Stove black [Note: Also see specific listing for Graphite (synthetic).]

Physical Description

Steel gray to black, greasy feeling, odorless solid.

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Very strong oxidizers such as fluorine, chlorine trifluoride & potassium peroxide

Symptoms

Cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), black sputum, decreased pulmonary function, lung fibrosis

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

Up to 12.5 mg/m³:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.

Up to 25 mg/m³:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 62.5 mg/m³:
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode

Up to 125 mg/m³:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and a high-efficiency particulate filter
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 1250 mg/m³:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection