The Department of Health and Human Services, the International Agency for
Research on Cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not
classified thallium as to its human carcinogenicity.
No studies are available in people or animals on the carcinogenic effects of
breathing, ingesting, or touching thallium.
Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to thallium?
There are medical tests available to measure levels of thallium in urine and
hair. In addition, thallium can also be measured in blood; however, this is not
a good indicator of exposure since thallium only stays in blood a very short
time.
These tests require special equipment that is not usually available in most
doctor's offices. In addition, these tests cannot determine if adverse health
effects will occur from the exposure to thallium.
Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?
The EPA requires that discharges or accidental spills into the environment of
1,000 pounds or more of thallium be reported.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set an exposure
limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter (0.1 mg/m³) for thallium in workplace
air. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has
established the same guidelines as OSHA for the workplace.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has
recommended that 15 mg/m³ of thallium be considered immediately dangerous to
life and health. This is the exposure level of a chemical that is likely to
cause permanent health problems or death.
Glossary
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
Ingesting: Taking food or drink into your body.
Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.
References: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1992.
Toxicological Profile for thallium. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Public Health Service.
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