Documentation for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)

Tin (inorganic compounds, as Sn)

IDLH Documentation CAS number: 7440315 (Metal)

NIOSH REL: 2 mg/m³ TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 2 mg/m³ TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

19931994 ACGIH TLV: 2 mg/m³ TWA

Description of substance: Varies

Original (SCP) IDLH: 400 mg Sn/m³

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the toxicity of stannous chloride. ACGIH [1971] indicated that inorganic tin salts are of high acute toxicity. ILO [1972] reported evidence exists that stannous chloride can cause paralysis in animals. No data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base the IDLH. The chosen IDLH is based on the dog intravenous LD_LO of 20 mg/kg for stannous chloride [Patenko 1886 as cited by Flury and Zernik 1935] cited by NIOSH. The chosen IDLH is likely to be conservative.

Shortterm exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal dose data:

Species	Reference	Route	LD₅₀ (mg/kg)	LD_Lo (mg/kg)	Adjusted LD	Derived value
SnSO₄ Rat	Gig Sanit 1986	oral	2,207	-----	8,497 mg Sn/m³	850 mg Sn/m³
SnSO₄ Mouse	Gig Sanit 1986	oral	2,152	-----	8,285 mg Sn/m³	829 mg Sn/m³
SnCl₂ Rat	Calvery 1942	oral	700	-----	3,087 mg Sn/m³	309 mg Sn/m³
SnCl₂ Rabbit	WHO 1970	oral	10,000	-----	44,100 mg Sn/m³	4,410 mg Sn/m³
SnCl₂ Mouse	WHO 1972	oral	250	-----	1,103 mg Sn/m³	110 mg Sn/m³

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 100 mg Sn/m³

Basis for revised IDLH: No inhalation toxicity data are available on which to base an IDLH for inorganic tin compounds. Therefore, the revised IDLH for inorganic tin compounds is 100 mg Sn/m³ based on acute oral toxicity data in animals [WHO 1972]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute inhalation toxicity data for workers.

REFERENCES:

1. ACGIH [1971]. Tin (inorganic compounds except SnH₄ and SnO₂) as Sn. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 257.

2. Calvery HO [1942]. Trace elements in foods. Food Res 7:313331.

3. Flury F, Zernik F [1935]. Zusammenstellung der toxischen und letalen dosen fur die gebrauchlichsten gifte und versuchstiere. Abder Hand Biol Arbeitsmethod 4:12891422 (in German).

4. Gig Sanit [1986]; 51(6):82 (in Russian).

5. ILO [1972]. Tin, alloys, compounds. In: Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. 2nd ed. Vol. II (LZ). Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, pp. 14071409.

6. NIOSH [1976]. XP87000. Tin(II) chloride (1:2). In: Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances, 1976 ed. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 76191, p. 1156.

7. Patenko [1886]. Arch de Phys Ser III 7:33. [From Flury F, Zernik F [1935]. Zusammenstellung der toxischen und letalen dosen fur die gebrauchlichsten gifte und versuchstiere. Abder Hand Biol Arbeitsmethod 4:12891422 (in German).]

8. WHO [1970]. Toxicological evaluation of some extraction solvents and certain other substances. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, Nutrition Meetings Report Series 48a:7577.

9. WHO [1972]. Toxicological evaluation of some enzymes, modified starches and certain other substances. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, WHO Food Additives Series, No. 1, pp. 101104. Go back to the Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)