Thallium (soluble compounds, as Tl)
Synonyms & Trade Names
Exposure Limits
NIOSH REL
TWA 0.1 mg/m3 [skin]OSHA PEL
TWA 0.1 mg/m3 [skin]Physical Description
Appearance and odor vary depending upon the specific soluble thallium compound.Molecular Weight
Properties vary depending upon the specific soluble thallium compound.Incompatibilities & Reactivities
VariesExposure Routes
inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contactSymptoms
nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting; ptosis, strabismus; peri neuritis, tremor; retrosternal (occurring behind the sternum) tightness, chest pain, pulmonary edema; convulsions, chorea, psychosis; liver, kidney damage; alopecia; paresthesia legsTarget Organs
Eyes, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, body hairPersonal Protection/Sanitation
(See protection codes)Skin:Prevent skin contact
Eyes:Prevent eye contact
Wash skin:When contaminated
Remove:When wet or contaminated
Change:Daily
First Aid
(See procedures)Eye:Irrigate immediately
Skin:Water flush promptly
Breathing:Respiratory support
Swallow:Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH/OSHA
Up to 0.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Up to 1 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 2.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.
Up to 5 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 supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and a high-efficiency particulate filter
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Up to 15 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
- Page last reviewed:April 11, 2016
- Page last updated:April 11, 2016
- Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Information Division