Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Asbestos, chrysotile

RTECS #

CI6478500

CAS #

12001-29-5; 12426-98-1; 61076-97-9

Updated

September 201

Molecular Weight

N/R

Molecular Formula

H4O4Si·1/2H2O·3/2Mg

Synonyms

5R04
7-45 Asbestos
Asbestos (ACGIH)
Avibest C
Calidria RG 100
Calidria RG 144
Calidria RG 600
Cassiar AK
Chrysotile
Chrysotile asbestos
Chrysotile asbestos (ACGIH)
Hooker No. 1 chrysotile asbestos
K6-30
Metaxite
NCI C61223A
Plastibest 20
RG 600
Serpentine chrysotile
Sylodex
White asbestos

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
Cytogenetic Analysislymphocyte/human10 mg/LMUREAV 265,245,1992
Cytogenetic Analysisintraperitoneal/rat100 mg/kgCNREA8 48,6455,1988
Cytogenetic Analysisother cell types/rat2 mg/LNASGEJ 3,511,1985
Cytogenetic Analysisintratracheal/rat2900 gm/LENVRAL 57,175,1992
Cytogenetic Analysisintraperitoneal/mouse50 mg/kgMUREAV 319,303,1993
Cytogenetic Analysislung/hamster10 mg/LCRNGDP 8,553,1987
Cytogenetic Analysisembryo/hamster100 µg/LENVRAL 10,165,1975
Cytogenetic Analysisovary/hamster10 mg/LCSHCAL 4,941,1977
DNA inhibitionlung/hamster62 mg/LTIVIEQ 1,71,1987
micronucleus testembryo/hamster500 ng/cm2/48HCNREA8 44,5017,1984
micronucleus testlung/hamster3297 µg/LMUREAV 320,253,1994
micronucleus testother cell types/human0.5 ng/L/72HMUREAV 559,19,2004
micronucleus testintraperitoneal/mouse500 mg/kgTOVEFN -,21,2008
morphological transformother cell types/mouse10 mg/LCSHCAL 4,941,1977
morphological transformembryo/hamster250 ng/cm2PAACA3 24,96,1983
morphological transformother cell types/rat400 ng/cm2CRNGDP 6,523,1985
mutation in mammalian somatic cellslung/hamster10 mg/LMUREAV 68,265,1979
other mutation test systemsembryo/hamster1 mg/LENVRAL 10,165,1975
other mutation test systemsovary/hamster10 mg/LMUREAV 116,369,1983
other mutation test systemsfibroblast/human10 mg/LMUREAV 116,369,1983
other mutation test systemsintratracheal/rat2900 gm/LENVRAL 57,175,1992
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctionoral/Drosophila melanogaster5 gm/LMUREAV 261,9,1991
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctionintraperitoneal/rat100 mg/kgCNREA8 48,6455,1988
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctionembryo/hamster500 ng/cm2/48HCNREA8 44,5017,1984
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctionlung/hamster40 mg/LCRNGDP 8,553,1987
sister chromatid exchangeovary/hamster100 µg/LENVRAL 24,325,1981
specific locus testovary/hamster40 mg/LMUREAV 602,14,2006
Unscheduled DNA Synthesislung/human10 mg/LJEPOEC 6(5/6),169,1986
Unscheduled DNA Synthesisother cell types/rat4 µg/cm2MUREAV 241,361,1990

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
implant/rat lowest published toxic dose: 200 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		IARCCD 8,289,1973
inhalation/hamster lowest published toxic concentration: 23 mg/m3/7H/47W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors

Endocrine: Adrenal cortex tumors		ENVRAL 10,368,1975
inhalation/man lowest published toxic concentration: 400 million particles per cubic foot/1Y- continuousTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis, focal (pneumoconiosis)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		AEHLAU 28,61,1974
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 11 mg/m3/26W- intermittentTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		BJCAAI 29,252,1974
inhalation/rat toxic concentration (other than lowest): 12 mg/m3/13W- intermittentTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		RRCRBU 39,37,1972
inhalation/rat toxic concentration (other than lowest): 10 mg/m3/52W- continuousTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		IAPUDO 30,285,1980
inhalation/rat toxic concentration (other than lowest): 11 mg/m3/8H/26W- intermittentTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		IAPUDO 30,363,1980
intraperitoneal/hamster lowest published toxic dose: 200 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Other changes		IAPUDO 30,337,1980
intraperitoneal/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 80 mg/kgTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		ENVRAL 35,277,1984
intraperitoneal/mouse toxic dose: 400 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors		ENVRAL 27,433,1982
intraperitoneal/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 25 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Other changes		IAPUDO 30,337,1980
intraperitoneal/rat toxic dose: 28 mg/kgTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors		NATWAY 59,318,1972
intraperitoneal/rat toxic dose: 90 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		ENVRAL 4,496,1971
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 9 mg/kgTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		ZHPMAT 162,467,1976
intrapleural/rat lowest published toxic dose: 100 mg/kgTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		BJCAAI 23,567,1969
intrapleural/rat lowest published toxic dose: 300 mg/kg/12W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		VOONAW 20(4),47,1974
intrapleural/rat toxic dose: 90 mg/kgTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		JSOMBS 29,20,1979
intrapleural/rat toxic dose: 200 mg/kgTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Bronchogenic carcinoma		JNCIAM 48,797,1972
intrapleural/rat toxic dose: 120 mg/kg/2W- intermittentTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		CALEDQ 17,313,1983
intrapleural/rat lowest published toxic dose: 300 mg/kg/12W- intermittentTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		VOONC* -,1077,1991
intrapleural/rat lowest published toxic dose: 240 mg/kg/12W- intermittentTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		VOONC* -,1077,1991
intratracheal/hamster toxic dose: 48 mg/kg/6W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		IAPUDO 30,305,1980
intratracheal/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 200 mg/kgTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors		PAACA3 15,6,1974
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 13 mg/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Bronchogenic carcinoma		ENVRAL 21,63,1980
multiple/hamster lowest published toxic dose: 240 gm/kg/35W- continuousTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Facilitates action of known carcinogens		ANYAA9 132,456,1965
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 7100 mg/kg/39W- continuousTumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Liver: Tumors

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Kidney tumors		ARGEAR 46,437,1976
subcutaneous/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 2400 mg/kg/13W- intermittentTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors

Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application		FCTXAV 6,566,1968

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/Mouse, macrophage Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): >1000 mg/L/17HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell membrane integrity: Cytoplasmic enzymes leakage (lactate dehydrogenase, ATP enzymes etc.)TIVIEQ 1,77,1987
In Vitro/Rat, lung Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 0.95 µg/cm2/7DIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell growth: Colony formationTIVIEQ 1,59,1987
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 2.8 fiber/cubic centimeter/5YLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis, focal (pneumoconiosis)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea		ENVRAL 23,292,1980
intraperitoneal/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 100 mg/kgImmunological Including Allergic: Increase in cellular immune response

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects		EVHPAZ 51,147,1983
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published lethal dose: 300 mg/kgBehavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Gastrointestinal: Peritonitis		AJPAA4 70,291,1973
intrapleural/rat lowest published toxic dose: 150 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Fe		ABBIA4 311,13,1994
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 10 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis, focal (pneumoconiosis)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation		TXAPA9 207,221,2005
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 54 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changesTOVEFN -,21,2008
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 270 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis, focal (pneumoconiosis)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases		TOVEFN -,21,2008

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/hamster lowest published toxic concentration: 30 mg/m3/6H/78W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis (interstitial)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight		INHTE5 7,503,1995
inhalation/hamster lowest published toxic concentration: 30 mg/m3/48W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis (interstitial)

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field		INHTE5 7,503,1995
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 8210 µg/m3/6H/20D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis (interstitial)TXAPA9 137,67,1996
intratracheal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 195 mg/kg/90D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight		GISAAA -,35,1993
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 10867 mg/kg/78W- continuousGastrointestinal: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other carbohydrates		TOLED5 39,205,1987

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.1 f/cubic centimeter (resp)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Sufficient EvidenceIMEMDT 2,17,1973
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Sufficient EvidenceIMEMDT 2,17,1973
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Sufficient EvidenceIMEMDT 14,11,1977
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Sufficient EvidenceIMEMDT 14,11,1977
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 1IMSUDL 7,106,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW31BYAP -,93,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 584,1,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 579,6,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOVEFN -,27,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 727,72,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 727,72,2011

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 5 fb/cc (fb > 5 um)DTLWS* 3,33,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA0.1 f/mL, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 f/cc, carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 0.1 f/cc, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 f/cc, carc, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 0.015 fcc, 1 carc, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.1 fiber/cm3, carcinogen, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 1 fibers/cc, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 1 fiber/ml, short term exposure limit 6 fibers/ml, carcinogen, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.1 fiber/cm3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.1 f/cc, Carcinogen, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.01 f/cc, carc 1, JAN2011
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-cancer hazardCFRGBR 29,1910.1001,1987

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ASBESTOS-air100M time-weighted average 0.1 fb/cc in a 400L air sampleNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code T1575; Number of Industries 45; Total Number of Facilities 5924; Number of Occupations 48; Total Number of Employees Exposed 92033; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 13262

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: TRP reversion
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: Carcinogenicity-mouse/rat
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NCI Carcinogenesis Studies (feed);equivocal evidence:rat
NCI Carcinogenesis Studies (feed);no evidence:hamster
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Asbestos (bulk) by PLM, 9002; by PCM, 7400; by TEM, 7402
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Asbestos, chrysotile by XRD, 9000
NTP 11th Report on Carcinogens,2004:Known to be human carcinogen
NTP Carcinogenesis Studies (feed):some evidence:rat NTPTR* NTP-TR-295,1985

Follow NIOSH

NIOSH Homepage

TOP