NIOSH logo and tagline

Tellurium

RTECS #
WY2625000
CAS #
13494-80-9; 137322-20-4
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
December 2017
Molecular Weight
127.60
Molecular Formula
Te
Synonyms
NCI-C60117
Telloy
Tellur (Polish)
Tellurium (ACGIH:OSHA)
Tellurium element

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat 26 mg/kg (9-10D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous systemVCVN5* -,288,1989
intramuscular/rat 13 mg/kg (10D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system
EXPEAM 28,1444,1972
oral/rat 3300 mg/kg (1-22D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous systemEXNEAC 31,1,1971
oral/rat 1693 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
FAATDF 11,691,1988
oral/rat 6064 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Other neonatal measures or effects
FAATDF 11,691,1988
oral/rat 150 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleHBTME* -,815,2007
oral/rat 1500 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
HBTME* -,815,2007
oral/rabbit 682.5 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleHBTME* -,815,2007
oral/rabbit 2047.5 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
HBTME* -,815,2007

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >2420 mg/m3/4HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
TNONF* TNO-92-008
intratracheal/rat lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
AIHAAP 39,100,1978
oral/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 45 mg/kg85GMAT -,107,1982
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 20 mg/kg85GMAT -,107,1982
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 67 mg/kg85GMAT -,107,1982
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 83 mg/kg85GMAT -,107,1982

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 0.01 mg/m3/2Y- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Anorexia (human)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Fibrosis (interstitial)
VCVN5* -,292,1989
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 10 mg/m3/13W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation
HBTME* -,815,2007
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m3/13W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria

Blood: Other hemolysis with or without anemia

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count
HBTME* -,815,2007
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 3.5 µg/m3/24H/13W- continuousLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi

Liver: Fatty liver degeneration

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects
VCVN5* -,292,1989
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 11250 mg/kg/3D- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Flaccid paralysis without anesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage)

Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath
HBTME* -,815,2007

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFOREAE 7,313,1942
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 22,196,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,140,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHBTME* ,815,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNETEEC 52,25,2015

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3DTLVS* 3,245,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.1 mg/m3;KZW 0.5 mg/m3, inhal, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg(Te)/m3, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (dust), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.1 mg/m3, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, dust, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,1 mg/m3, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.01 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 0.03 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 0.01 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.1 mg/m3, KZG-week 0.2 mg/m3, inhal, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.1 mg(Te)/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg(Te)/m3CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg(Te)/m3CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg(Te)/m3CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg(Te)/m3CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO TELLURIUM AND COMPOUNDS-air10H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 71197; Number of Industries 10; Total Number of Facilities 422; Number of Occupations 16; Total Number of Employees Exposed 12284; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 3098
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 71197; Number of Industries 5; Total Number of Facilities 192; Number of Occupations 8; Total Number of Employees Exposed 472

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Elements by ICP, 7300
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID121
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018