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<pre>      Dibismuth tritelluride
      (undoped and Se-doped)
      (CAS No: 1304-82-1)
      Health-based Reassessment of Administrative
      Occupational Exposure Limits
      Committee on Updating of Occupational Exposure Limits,
      a committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands
      No. 2000/15OSH/062, The Hague, 3 March 2003
062-1
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<pre>      Preferred citation:
      Health Council of the Netherlands: Committee on Updating of Occupational
      Exposure Limits. Dibismuth tritelluride (undoped and Se-doped); Health-based
      Reassessment of Administrative Occupational Exposure Limits in the
      Netherlands. The Hague: Health Council of the Netherlands, 2003;
      2000/15OSH/062.
      all rights reserved
062-2
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<pre>1     Introduction
      The present document contains the assessment of the health hazard of dibismuth
      tritelluride (undoped and Se-doped), in this document referred to as bismuth
      telluride, by the Committee on Updating of Occupational Exposure Limits, a
      committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands. The first draft of this
      document was prepared by KJ van den Berg, Ph.D. and H Stouten, M.Sc. (TNO
      Nutrition and Food Research, Zeist, the Netherlands).
           The evaluation of the toxicity of bismuth telluride has been based on the
      review by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
      (ACG91). Where relevant, the original publications were reviewed and
      evaluated as will be indicated in the text. In addition, literature was retrieved
      from the on-line databases Medline, Toxline, and Chemical Abstracts covering
      the period 1966 to 24 October 1997 (19971024/UP), 1965 to 20 October 1997
      (971020/ED), and 1967 to 28 October 1997 (971028/ED; vol. 127, issue 18),
      respectively, and using the following key words: bismuth sesquitelluride,
      bismuth (1W) telluride, dibismuth tritelluride, BI2TE3, 1304-82-1, and
      37293-14-4. HSDB (no record) and RTECS, databases available from
      CD-ROM, were consulted as well (NIO97, NLM97). The final literature search
      was carried out in October 1997.
           In February 1999, the President of the Health Council released a draft of the
      document for public review. The committee received no comments.
           An additional literature search in May 2002 did not result in information
      changing the committee's conclusions.
2     Identity
       name                            :     dibismuth tritelluride
       synonyms                        :     bismuth telluride, tellurobismuthite, bismuth
                                             tritelluride, bismuth sesquitelluride
       molecular formula               :     Bi2Te3
       CAS number                      :     1304-82-1
      Data from ACG91, NIO97.
062-3 Dibismuth tritelluride (undoped and Se-doped)
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<pre>3     Physical and chemical properties
       molecular weight                 :     800.83
       boiling point                    :     -
       melting point                    :     585oC
       flash point                      :     -
       vapour pressure                  :     -
       solubility                       :     decomposed by nitric acid
       log Poctanol/water               :     -
       conversion factors               :     -
       (20oC, 101.3 kPa)                      -
      Data from ACG91, NLM97.
      Bismuth telluride is a grey solid in the form of single crystals, hexagonal
      platelets, or ingots.
4     Uses
      Bismuth telluride is used extensively for thermoelectric cooling, and power
      generation applications (Ric92, ACG91). For use as a semiconductor, bismuth
      telluride is often ‘doped’ with Bi2Se3 (20 mol%) and small amounts of SnTe
      (Bel94).
5     Biotransformation and kinetics
      In general, insoluble bismuth compounds are poorly absorbed when given orally
      or applied to the skin (Bel94). Specific information on the absorption,
      distribution, metabolism, and excretion of bismuth telluride is not available.
      However, some data on the kinetics and metabolism of other bismuth
      compounds have been published in an overview, and these data may also be
      applicable for bismuth tritelluride. In summary, following oral intake of
      ‘insoluble’ bismuth compounds such as bismuth subnitrate or bismuth
      subcitrate, a significant rise in the concentration of bismuth in the blood of
      human volunteers or patients has been demonstrated. Multiple dosing of
      patients with bismuth subcitrate produced a steady state plasma concentration
      after 4 weeks. In one study, the percentage of absorption from the
062-4 Health-based Recommended Occupational Exposure Limits
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<pre>      gastrointestinal tract was estimated 0.2%, but large interindividual variations
      have been shown. Distribution of bismuth in the organs is largely independent
      of the compound administered or the route of administration. The concentration
      of bismuth in the kidney, and its retention time, is higher than in other organs
      (lung, liver, brain). After repeated exposure, bismuth is bound to a low
      molecular weight bismuth-metal binding protein in the kidney, the synthesis of
      which can be induced by the metal itself. Bismuth is eliminated from the body
      by the urinary and faecal routes, but the exact contribution of both routes is still
      unknown. Elimination from blood displays multicompartment
      pharmacokinetics. Following intravenous treatment of human volunteers and
      patients with the isotope 206Bi, half-lives varied from 3.5 minutes to 3.2 hours.
      The possibility of a compartment with a much longer half-life (17 to 22 years)
      has also been reported (Sli89).
6     Effects and mechanism of action
      Human data
      In industrial experimental work with bismuth telluride under controlled
      conditions (vacuum hoods), no adverse health effects were encountered other
      than ‘tellurium breath’ (ACG91, Bel94).
          Exposure to bismuth telluride (Se-doped) in construction work is considered
      by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) as potentially
      resulting in non-malignant respiratory effects (Sul95).
          In 618 patients suffering from bismuth encephalopathy, blood
      concentrations ranging between 10 and 4600 µg/L have been reported (Sli89).
      Animal data
      In an unpublished study, not available to the committee, dogs, rabbits, and rats
      were exposed daily for 1 year by inhalation to doped bismuth telluride at a
      concentration of 15 mg/m3 and an average particle size of 1.04 µm. In dogs,
      small granulomatous lesions without fibrosis appeared in the lungs after 6
      months. Four months after an exposure of 8 months, the lesions had regressed.
      The rabbits showed a similar histological picture; however, they had decreased
      numbers of pulmonary macrophages, no fibrous tissue proliferation, and no
      cellular or fibrous tissue reactions around the dust deposits in the lymph nodes.
      The rats showed fewer granulomas, but some areas of epithelialisation of the
062-5 Dibismuth tritelluride (undoped and Se-doped)
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<pre>      alveolar walls. When exposed to pure, undoped bismuth telluride dust at 15
      mg/m3 and a particle size of 0.04 µm, for 11 months, no adverse responses of
      any type were seen, other than the pulmonary responses to the inhalation of an
      ‘inert’ dust (ACG91, Bel94).
          The way this study was presented raises many questions. The study design
      was not clear. The number of animals exposed and the presence of control
      groups were not reported. In case of doped bismuth telluride, animals were
      stated to be exposed for 1 year, but no results were presented. Apparently,
      exposure lasted for 8 months and a 4-month recovery period was included.
      Furthermore, lesions were described occurring after 6 months suggesting an
      interim section at that time point. The results were very poorly presented. There
      were no data on the response incidences or statistical evaluations. Lesions were
      stated to be regressed, but it was not clear whether this recovery was complete
      or only partial. The response in rabbits was compared to that in dogs. However,
      the description in rabbits suggests responses in dogs such as fibrous tissue
      proliferation (however, without clear collagen deposits; ‘no fibrosis’) and
      fibrous tissue reactions in the draining lymph nodes, which were not mentioned.
      Further, it was stated that rabbits had decreased number of macrophages and
      that rats had fewer granulomas, but the references are not clear (i.e., was
      comparison made with their own controls or with the other species). With
      respect to undoped bismuth telluride, the only information presented was that no
      adverse responses other than pulmonary responses to the inhalation of an ‘inert’
      dust were seen. However, it is not clear whether this includes an epithelial
      response in rats, persistent macrophage aggregates/dusts deposits in the draining
      lymph nodes, macrophage aggregates in the exposed animals, or only
      accumulation of macrophages in the alveoli.
      No data on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproduction toxicity of bismuth
      telluride have been found.
7     Existing guidelines
      The current administrative occupational exposure limits (MAC) for undoped
      and Se-doped bismuth telluride in the Netherlands are 10 and 5 mg/m3, 8-hour
      TWA, respectively.
          Existing occupational exposure limits in some European countries and the
      USA are summarised in the annex.
062-6 Health-based Recommended Occupational Exposure Limits
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<pre>8      Assessment of health hazard
       Very limited data have been reported on occupational exposure of workers to
       bismuth telluride. These indicate no adverse health effect other than ‘tellurium
       breath’.
            With respect to animal data, results from only one unpublished study in
       which rats, rabbits, and dogs were exposed to 15 mg/m3 of doped or undoped
       bismuth telluride (particle size: 1.04 or 0.4 µm, respectively) for 11-12 months
       were available to the committee by means of an abstract. Pulmonary responses
       were observed. However, due to poor and confusing reporting, the committee
       considered this study to be not appropriate to serve as a basis for setting an
       occupational exposure limit.
       The committee considers the toxicological database on bismuth telluride, doped
       or undoped, too poor to justify recommendation of a health-based occupational
       exposure limit.
       The committee concludes that the information available from the animal studies
       indicates that the present MAC value for doped bismuth telluride of 5 mg/m3,
       8-hour TWA, may be at least one order of magnitude too high, but that there is
       insufficient information to comment on the level of the present MAC value for
       undoped bismuth telluride.
       References
ACG91  American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Documentation of the
       threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. 6th ed. Cincinnati OH, USA: ACGIH, 1991:
       139-40.
ACG02a American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Guide to occupational
       exposure values - 2002. Cincinnati OH, USA: ACGIH®, Inc, 2002: 13.
ACG02b American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). 2002 TLVs® and BEIs®.
       Threshold Limit Values for chemical substances and fysical agents. Biological Exposure Indices.
       Cincinnati OH, USA: ACGIH®, Inc, 2002: 17.
Arb02  Arbejdstilsynet. Grænseværdier for stoffer og materialer. Copenhagen, Denmark: Arbejdstilsynet,
       2002; At-vejledning C.0.1.
Bel94  Beliles RB. Bismuth, Bi. In: Clayton GD, Clayton FE, eds. Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, USA: J.
       Wiley & Sons, 1994: 1948-54 (Patty’s industrial hygiene and toxicology; Vol II Pt C).
062-7  Dibismuth tritelluride (undoped and Se-doped)
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<pre>DFG02 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG): Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher
      Arbeitsstoffe. MAK- und BAT-Werte-Liste 2002. Maximale Arbeitsplatzkonzentrationen und
      Biologische Arbeitsstofftoleranzwerte. Weinheim, FRG: Wiley-VCH, 2002; rep no 38.
EC02  European Commission (EC): Directorate General for Employment and Social Affairs. Occupational
      exposure limits (OELs). http://europe.eu.int/comm/employment_social/h&s/areas/oels_en.htm.
HSE02 Health and Safety Executive (HSE). EH40/2002. Occupational exposure limits 2002. Sudbury
      (Suffolk), England: HSE Books, 2002: 16.
NIO97 US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), ed. Registry of Toxic Effects of
      Chemical Substances (RTECS) [CD-ROM], issue April 1997. SilverPlatter International, 1997 (last
      update bismuth telluride file: January 1997).
Ric92 Richardson ML, Gangolli S, eds. B157 Bismuth telluride. In: The dictionary of substances and their
      effects. Cambridge, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 1992: 684 (Vol 1).
Sli89 Slikkerveer A, de Wolff FA. Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of bismuth compounds. Med Toxicol
      Adverse Drug Exp 1989; 4: 303-23.
Sul95 Sullivan PA, Bang KM, Hearl FJ, et al. Respiratory disease risks in the construction industry. Occup
      Med (Philadelphia) 1995; 10: 313-34.
Swe00 Swedish National Board of Occupational Safety and Health. Occupational exposure limit values and
      measures against air contaminants. Solna, Sweden: National Board of Occupational Safety and
      Health, 2000; Ordinance AFS 2000:3.
SZW02 Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid (SZW). Nationale MAC-lijst 2002. The Hague,
      the Netherlands: Sdu, Servicecentrum, 2002: 23.
TRG00 TRGS 900. Grenzwerte in der Luft am Arbeitsplatz; Technische Regeln für Gefahrstoffe. BArbBl
      2000; 2.
062-8 Health-based Recommended Occupational Exposure Limits
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<pre>              Annex
Occupational exposure limits for bismuth telluride in various countries.
country                        occupational               time-weighted      type of exposure notea        referenceb
-organisation                  exposure limit             average            limit
                               ppm          mg/m3
the Netherlands
-Ministry of Social Affairs    -            5c, 10d       8h                 administrative                SZW02
and Employment
Germany
-AGS                           -            -                                                              TRG00
-DFG MAK-Kommission            -            -                                                              DFG02
Great-Britain
-HSE                           -            5c, 10d       8h                 OES                           HSE02
                               -            10c, 20d      15 min
Sweden                         -            -                                                              Swe00
Denmark                        -            -                                                              Arb02
USA
-ACGIH                         -            5c, 10d       8h                 TLV               A4g         ACG02b
-OSHA                          -            5e            8h                 PEL                           ACG02a
-NIOSH                         -            5c, 5f        10 h               REL                           ACG02a
European Union
-SCOEL                         -            -                                                              EC02
a
     S = skin notation; this means that skin absorption may contribute considerably to body burden.
     sens = substance can cause sensitisation.
b
     Reference to the most recent official publication of occupational exposure limits.
c
     Se-doped bismuth telluride.
d
     Undoped bismuth telluride.
e
     For undoped bismuth telluride, as respirable fraction; for total dust: 15 mg/m3 as total particulate; no limit for
     Se-doped bismuth telluride.
f
     For undoped bismuth telluride, as respirable fraction; for total dust: 10 mg/m3.
g
     Classified in carcinogenicity category A4, i.e., not classifiable as a human carcinogen: agents which cause
     concern that they could be carcinogenic to humans but which cannot be assessed conclusively because of lack
     of data. In vitro or animal studies do not provide indications of carcinogenicity which are sufficient to
     classify the agent into one of the other categories.
062-9         Dibismuth tritelluride (undoped and Se-doped)
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<pre>062-10 Health-based Recommended Occupational Exposure Limits</pre>

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<br><br>