Iron oxide (Fe2O3)

159.69

159.854630

215-168-2

1577

1376

DTXSID0029632

Reddish-brown hexagonal crystals|Reddish or blueish-black powder|Steel gray to red hexagonal|Red-brown solid. /Iron oxide dust and fume, as Fe/|A fine, red powder of ferric oxide. /Rouge/

28211000

43.37000

-0.31100

black pieces

5.24 g/cm³

565 °C

>230 °F

Index of refraction: 3.01, 2.94 (LI)

H2O: INsoluble ;It is soluble In Warm Hydrochloric Acid, Slightly soluble in Sulfuric Acid.

2-8°C

0 mm Hg (approximate)|0 mmHg (approx)

Mohs' hardness: 6.5|Molar heat of fusion: 87 kJ/mol|Standard molar enthalpy of formation: -824.2 kJ/mol; standard molar Gibbs energy of formation: -742.2 kJ/mol; standard molar entropy: 87.4 J/mol-K; molar heat capacity at constant pressure: 103.9 J/mol-K|Color, appearance dependent upon size, shape of particles and amt of combined water|For more Other Experimental Properties (Complete) data for FERRIC OXIDE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Noncombustible Solid

UN 1376

36/37/38-11

26-16

NO7400000

Xi,F

Stable.

P210-P280-P305 + P351 + P338 + P310-P370 + P378-P403 + P235

H225-H318

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

... Explosion during reduction of iron oxide with carbon monoxide /due to/ the formation of pentacarbonyl iron at temperatures between 0 and 150 °C.|Calcium hypochlorite. /Iron oxide dust and fume, as Fe/|Calcium hypochlorite, carbon monoxide, hydrogen peroxide. /Rouge/|Violent reaction when heated with powdered aluminum, calcium disilicide, magnesium, metal acetylides (e.g., calcium acetylide + iron (III) chloride (on ignition), cesium acetylide (incandescent reaction when warmed), rubidium acetylide).

Ferric oxide (iron (III) oxide, Fe2O3, CAS Reg. No. 1309-37-1) ... is used as an indirect human food ingredient with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based upon the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use: (1) The ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging. (2) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice.

Not combustible.

|Danger|H315 (28.98%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]|P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P314, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501|Aggregated GHS information provided by 3222 companies from 39 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.|H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]|P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P314, P321, P332+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, and P501|H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]|P260, P264, P270, P307+P311, P314, P321, P405, and P501

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Respirator Recommendations: Up to 50 mg/cu m: /Iron oxide dust and fume (as Fe)/ [Table#1310]|Respirator Recommendations: Up to 125 mg/cu m: /Iron oxide dust and fume (as Fe)/ [Table#1311]|Respirator Recommendations: Up to 250 mg/cu m: /Iron oxide dust and fume (as Fe)/ [Table#1312]|Respirator Recommendations: Up to 2500 mg/cu m: /Iron oxide dust and fume (as Fe)/ [Table#1313]|For more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Complete) data for FERRIC OXIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.|(See protection codes)

Noncombustible.

Explosive reaction when heated with guanidinium perchlorate.|The wet oxide reacts explosively with molten aluminum-magnesium alloys.

Persons not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from areas of releases until cleanup has been completed. If potentially hazardous amounts of iron oxide fume are inadvertantly released, ventilate the area of the release to disperse the fume.

SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants. Ensure that the local ventilation moves the contaminant away from the worker.

/GUIDE 135: SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE/ Fire or Explosion: Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. /Iron oxide, spent; Iron sponge, spent/|/GUIDE 135: SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE/ Health: Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. /Iron oxide, spent; Iron sponge, spent/|/GUIDE 135: SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number ... . As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. Stay upwind. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Keep out of low areas. /Iron oxide, spent; Iron sponge, spent/|/GUIDE 135: SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection. /Iron oxide, spent; Iron sponge, spent/|For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for FERRIC OXIDE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr Time Weighted Avg: 10 mg/cu m. /Iron oxide fume/

Recommended Exposure Limit: 8 Hour Time-Weighted Average: 10 mg/cu m|Recommended Exposure Limit: 10 Hour Time-Weighted Average: 5 mg/cu m. /Iron oxide dust and fume (as Fe)/|NIOSH concluded that the documentation cited by OSHA was inadequate to support the proposed PEL (as an 8-hr TWA) of 10 mg/cu m for rouge. /Rouge/

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers.

A nuisance-causing concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed, especially if powdered.

May cause mechanical irritation.

Repeated or prolonged inhalation of dust particles may cause effects on the lungs. This may result in siderosis, a benign condition.

Avoid inhalation of dust.

Wear safety goggles.

The concurrent administration of a cocarcinogenic carrier particle such as ferric oxide (Fe2O3) and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon lung carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) results in a decreased latency and an increased incidence in the production of lung tumors in hamsters compared to the administration of BaP alone. The pulmonary alveolar macrophage (AM), the primary lung defense cell, has been shown to endocytize BaP, metabolize BaP to a more biologically active form, and then release the metabolites. Therefore, a study was undertaken to determine in a dose-response manner the effect of AM phagocytosis of a carrier particle (Fe2O3) on the metabolism of a carcinogen (BaP) and on the production of reactive oxygen. The AM were lavaged from hamsters and cultured in suspension (2.5 x 10+6 cells/vial) with BaP (62.5 nmol, 14C labeled) alone or adsorbed onto 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg Fe2O3 in the presence of cytochrome c. Following separate ethyl acetate extractions of the AM and medium, the metabolites were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantified by liquid scintillation spectrometry. The production of superoxide anions was monitored by the reduction of cytochrome c. Concurrent exposure of AM to BaP-coated Fe2O3 resulted in a significant increase in the amount of BaP metabolites and superoxide anions produced with dose of Fe2O3. The following metabolites were identified in both the medium and the AM: 9,10-dihydrodiol, 7,8-dihydrodiol, 4,5-dihydrodiol, 9-hydroxy, 3-hydroxy, and 3,6-quinone. In general, the 7,8-dihydrodiol, which is considered to be the precursor of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of BaP, and superoxide anions, which have been shown to produce localized lipid peroxidation and edema in vivo, were significantly enhanced (p = .05, Duncan's multiple comparison test) in AM exposed to all doses of Fe2O3 when compared to AM exposed to BaP alone. This Fe2O3 dose-related enhancement of superoxide anion production is indicative of increased endocytic capacity resulting in a greater amount of total metabolites being produced, in particular, the dihydrodiols of BaP, which are considered to be products of the active metabolic pathway of BaP.|The association of small quantities of ferric oxide with benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) appears to increase in vivo the toxic effect of BaP. The effect of Fe2O3 may be mediated by the recruitment of alveolar macrophages. These cells would contribute to the production of toxic and carcinogenic BaP metabolites and would stimulate development of tumors by producing cellular mediators of inflammation. In order to understand the mechanism of the synergic effect, ... male Sprague Dawley rats 3 weeks of age /were instilled/ with a single dose: Fe2O3 (3 mg) or BaP (3 mg)/combination Fe2O3-BaP (3 mg-3 mg) in 200 microliters of physiological saline solution. Control group of identical size (treated with physiological saline solutions and untreated) were used for this study. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after instillation and a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. ... An increased malonaldehyde level /was observed/ for rats intoxicated with Fe2O3 (123%), BaP (31%) and Fe2O3 + BaP (56%). The levels of PMN elastase and cathepsin B and L were increased: Fe2O3 (51-58%), BaP (52-27%). This effect was not seen for rats intoxicated by Fe2O3 + BaP. The free alpha(1)-antitrypsin was decreased with the three toxics (Fe2O3: 44%--BaP: 42%--Fe2O3: 41%). The inhibitory capacity of alpha(1)-antitrypsin was lower in groups of rats instilled with toxics.|... The fibrogenic potential of quartz, quartz and ferric oxide administered together, fibrous glass, and hydrated alumina were studied by multiple intratracheal instillation in groups of male Lak:LVG Syrian golden hamsters. Dose-related decreases in survival were evident for the groups instilled with the two highest doses of quartz or quartz and ferric oxide. Instillation of quartz or quartz and ferric oxide induced the greatest pulmonary fibrosis in response to the materials tested. However, the dense fibrous tissue present in the lungs in classical human silicosis and in experimental silicosis of rats was not observed in this study... /Ferric oxide/|The repeated intratracheal instillation, in hamsters, of ferric oxide suspended in normal saline did not give rise to lung tumors. However, given together with benzo(a)pyrene or with systemically administered diethylnitrosamine, an increased yield of lung tumors was obtained. Ferric oxide was thought to be a carcinogenic cofactor, possibly acting by retarding clearance of an inhaled carcinogen or by inducing cytopathological changes that make the cells of the respiratory tract more susceptible to carcinogens.|... Sprague Dawley rats 10 d of age were exposed by inhalation to two different concentrations of ultrafine iron particles (30 or 100 ug/cu m) in combination with soot particles adjusted to maintain a total particle concentration of 250 ug/cu m. Exposure at 10 d and again at 23 d of age was for 6 hr/d for 3 d. Oxidative stress was observed at both Fe concentrations in the form of significant elevations in glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and GSSG/glutathione (GSH) ratio and a reduction in ferric/reducing antioxidant power in bronchoalveolar lavage. A significant decrease in cell viability associated with significant increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, interleukin-1-beta (IL-1beta), and ferritin expression was noted following exposure to particles containing the highest Fe concentration. Iron from these particles was shown to be bioavailable in an in vitro assay using the physiologically relevant chelator, citrate. Data indicate that combined Fe and soot particle exposure induces oxidative injury, cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory responses in the lungs of neonatal rats. /Iron particles/

LD50 Rat oral > 10,000 mg/kg|LD50 Rat intraperitoneal 5500 mg/kg|LD50 Mouse intraperitoneal 5400 mg/kg

/OTHER TERRESTRIAL SPECIES/ Studies were conducted to determine the effects of a panel of seven nanomaterials (NMs), namely: alpha-alumina, gamma-alumina, precipitated silica; silica fume, calcined silica fume, colloidal antimony pentoxide (Sb(2)O(5)), and superfine amorphous ferric oxide (Fe(2)O(3)), on sediment dwelling invertebrates Chironomus tentans under controlled laboratory conditions. Percentage survival, enzyme activities, growth development, and DNA fragmentation parameters were studied as acute, biochemical, and physiological toxicities of NMs, respectively. Quantitation of catalase and peroxidase enzyme activity demonstrated that toxicant stress of the NMs increased enzyme activity in a concentration dependent fashion across all treatments. The percentage growth length of the test specimens exposed to different NMs was significantly reduced compared to the negative control while only five concentrations were not in the toxic range, namely; Fe(2)O(3) (5 ug/kg); silica fume (5 ug/kg, 50 ug/kg); Sb(2)O(5) (5 ug/kg) and calcined silica fume (5 ug/kg). Genotoxic stress assessed by use of DNA laddering showed complementary findings to the other ecotoxicological endpoints tested in this study-the percentage survival and growth length inhibition. /Amorphous ferric oxide nanoparticles/

... Individuals with pulmonary diseases.

Alpha-form occurs in nature as the mineral hematite; gamma-form occurs as the mineral maghemite.

... Following occupations ... /entail/ risk of inhalation of dust and fumes of iron and its various alloys and cmpd: iron-ore miners; arc welders; grinders: polishers; silver finishers; metal workers. ... /also/ boiler makers|Exposure to fume may occur during the arc-welding of iron(1).|According to the 2006 TSCA Inventory Update Report, the number of workers reasonably likely to be exposed in the industrial manufacturing, processing, and use of ferric oxide is greater than 1000 persons; the data may be greatly underestimated(1).|NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 965,275 workers (139,397 of these were female) were potentially exposed to ferric oxide in the US(1).

Magnetite iron nanoparticles have been widely used as contrast agents and in thermal therapy for cancer. /Magnetite (Fe3O4)|Covalent attachment, through a phosphonate anchor, of hydrophilic pegylated dendrons on iron oxide nanoparticles results in versatile, robust, and highly relaxing MRI contrast agents. /Iron oxide nanoparticles/|Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are considered for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications in brain including their use as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging or as tool for magnetic drug delivery. /Iron oxide nanoparticles/|Iron oxide nanoparticles are the most widely used T(2)/T(2)* contrast agents and for biomedical research purposes, one of the main applications is the in vitro labeling of stem or therapeutic cells, allowing them to be subsequently tracked in vivo upon transplantation. /Iron oxide nanoparticles/|For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for FERRIC OXIDE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Various studies have shown that various cell types can be labeled with iron oxide particles and visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, reported protocols for cell labeling show a large variation in terms of labeling dose and incubation time. It is therefore not clear how different labeling protocols may influence labeling efficiency... /Super paramagnetic iron oxide particles & microparticles of iron oxide/

... Proportion of ... iron oxide dust introduced into lungs of experimental animals remained within lungs of tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes throughout ... remaining lifespan. Particles appear to penetate walls of alveoli and respiratory bronchioles and remain in connective tissues of lung within macrophages which form clusters of various sizes ... . /Iron oxide/|Considerable dust may be caught in respirable dust may be caught in resp tract defenses and gotten rid of in sputum, well known to worker because of its rust color.|Normal epithelium prevented deposited Fe2O3 particles from penetrating to connective tissue compartment.|Iron oxide converted to ferritin and hemosiderin in all epithelial cells except mucous cells. Fe content increased over time. Ferritin and hemosiderin, not ferric oxide, noted in connective tissue cells in submocosa.|For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for FERRIC OXIDE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Half life = 33 days. In rat lung after iron particles are inhaled and deposited in lung. /Iron/

Although systemically applied nanoparticles are quickly taken up by phagocytic cells, mainly macrophages, the interactions between engineered nanoparticles and macrophages are still not well defined. ...Therefore ... the uptake of diagnostically used carboxydextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles of 60 nm (SPIO) and 20 nm (USPIO) by human macrophages /was analyzed/. By pharmacological and in vitro knockdown approaches, the principal uptake mechanism for both particles was identified as clathrin-mediated, scavenger receptor A-dependent endocytosis... /Iron oxide nanoparticles/|... /It has been/ suggested that ferric oxide serves as a carcinogenic cofactor either by retarding the clearance of inhaled carcinogens or by inducing cytopathological changes which make the cells of the respiratory tract more prone to develop cancer when exposed to carcinogenic substances.

(See procedures)

Fresh air, rest.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

/SRP:/ Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Iron and Related Compounds/|/SRP:/ Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . /Iron and Related Compounds/|/SRP:/ Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious or is in severe respiratory distress. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Iron and Related Compounds/

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was used to sample lung cells and biochemical components in the lung air spaces at various times from 1 to 91 d after intrapulmonary instillation of 2.6 um-diameter iron oxide particles in human subjects. The instillation of particles induced transient acute inflammation during the first day post instillation (PI), characterized by increased numbers of neutrophils and alveolar macrophages as well as increased amounts of protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and interleukin-8 in BAL fluids. This response was subclinical and was resolved within 4 d PI. A similar dose-dependent response was seen in rats 1 d after intratracheal instillation of the same particles. The particles contained small amounts of soluble iron (240 ng/mg) and possessed the capacity to catalyze oxidant generation in vitro. /These/ findings indicate that the acute inflammation after particle exposure may, at least partially, be the result of oxidant generation catalyzed by the presence of residual amounts of ferric ion, ferric hydroxides, or oxyhydroxides associated with the particles... /Iron oxide/|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... Some electric arc welders exposed mainly to iron oxide fume showed generalized discrete densities in their chest X-ray films. None of these welders, however, showed any demonstrable clinical disability. /Iron oxide fume/|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ /The authors/ found evidence of siderosis in welders with exposures below 10 mg/cu m, but with probable higher past exposures. /Other investigators/ found exposures to iron oxide fume well over 10 mg/cu m in electric arc and powder-burning operations. Chest X-rays revealed no significant changes in these workers, but relatively few of the workers had long exposure histories and none had worked with iron oxide fume for more than 12 years. /Iron oxide/|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Ten human subjects were given 5 mg of iron oxide particles (2.6 um) by instillation with the use of a bronchoscope, followed by bronchoalveolar lavage at various time points, to assess the cellular and biochemical response to the instilled particles. Iron oxide particles were made via the hydrolysis and hot dialysis of ferric chloride, which resulted in spherical Fe2O3 particles that contained a soluble iron concentration of 0.036%. A transient acute inflammatory response was observed following instillation based on the appearance of an increased number of neutrophils and alveolar macrophages, and increased amounts of protein, lactate dehydrogenase and interleukin-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The residual amount of soluble iron in these particles was shown to catalyze oxidant generation in vitro, which could at least partially explain the observed transient inflammatory response that resolved within 4 days.|For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for FERRIC OXIDE (28 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

inhalation

Benign pneumoconiosis with X-ray shadows indistinguishable from fibrotic pneumoconiosis (siderosis)

Cough.

Redness.

respiratory system

1.36-2.27X10+9 grams of transparent iron oxide pigments for automotive finishes (1973)|44-48% of synthetic iron oxide production is consumed for the print and coatings end use (1981)|END-USE PATTERN: Paints & Coatings, 37%; Building Materials, 22%; Plastics, Inks, Rubber, Glass coloring, 11%; Ferrites & Magnetic uses, 9%; Industrial chemicals, 7%; Animal feeds & Fertilizers, 7%; Misc, 7% (1981) /Natural Iron Oxides/

Grades: Technical; 99.5% pure, electronic|Ferric oxide, red NF IX--Contains not less than 90% ferric oxide ... Made by heating native ferric oxide or hydroxide at temperature which will yield product of desired color.|Ferric oxide, yellow NF IX-- Contains not less than 97.5% ferric oxide ... Prepared by heating ferrous hydroxide or ferrous carbonate in air at low temperature.|Alpha form occurs in nature as mineral hematite. Gamma form occurs in nature as mineral maghemite; prepared by dehydration of alpha-FeO(OH): Giovanoli, Brutsch, Chimia 28, 188 (1974).|Synthetic iron oxides of high purity are available as single oxides or blends of iron oxides in a range of colors that include yellow, orange, tan, red, maroon, brown and black

Construction|Umber: ACTIVE|Adhesive manufacturing|Iron oxide (Fe2O3): ACTIVE|... As source of iron in salt blocks and feeds. ... FDA for many years permitted misleading claims or inferences that it was source of iron ... subsequent biologic availability trials in rats, chicks, cattle, and sheep ... confirmed ... worthlessness as source of iron. ... Used as tracer of feeds ... in nutrition studies.|More than 3-4% of oxide of iron will make sticky superphosphate|Although the supply of natural iron oxide pigments is adequate to satisfy pigment demand, synthetic products have been developed which have better uniformity, strength, and brilliance compared to natural pigments|Usually used in cake form or impregnated in paper or cloth.

Food Additives -> COLOUR; -> JECFA Functional Classes|Cosmetics -> Cosmetic colorant

Food Additives -> COLOUR;