OSMIUM TETROXIDE
CAS number: 20816-12-0
Synonym: Osmic acid
Molecular formula: OsO4
TLV–TWA, 0.0002 ppm (0.0016 mg/m3, as Os)
TLV–STEL, 0.0006 ppm (0.0047 mg/m3, as Os)
Summary
3
A TLV–TWA of 0.0002 ppm (0.0016 mg/m , as
3
Os) and a TLV–STEL of 0.0006 ppm (0.0047 mg/m ,
as Os) are recommended for occupational exposure
to osmium tetroxide. These values are intended to
minimize the potential for irritation of the eyes,
mucous membranes, skin, and respiratory tract.
Osmium tetroxide has a caustic action on skin and
has been reported to produce transient disturbances
of vision following brief, high exposures to the
compound. Sufficient data were not available to
recommend Skin, SEN, or carcinogenicity notations.
Chemical and Physical Properties
Osmium tetroxide is a noncombustible, colorless
to pale yellow solid, with a disagreeable chlorine-like
odor. An odor threshold of 0.0019 ppm has been
(1)
reported. Chemical and physical properties
include:
(2,3)
Molecular weight: 254.20
Specific gravity: 4.906 at 22°C
Melting point: 39.5°C to 41°C
Boiling point: 130°C
Vapor pressure: 11 torr at 27°C
Solubility: soluble in water, alcohol, and ether
Conversion factors at 25°C and 760 torr:
3 3
1 ppm = 10.39 mg/m ; 1 mg/m = 0.096 ppm
Major Uses
The chief use of osmium tetroxide is as a biolog-
ical stain for adipose tissues in histopathological
laboratories. Other applications are in photography
and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
Metallic osmium and most of its other
compounds are not considered highly toxic. Osmium
tetroxide is apparently formed quite readily from
finely divided osmium metal by heating in air, or
(4) (5)
even at room temperature. According to Fairhall,
osmium is the only element that forms definite
octavalent compounds. The toxicities of substances
such as osmium octafluoride and osmium
tetrasulfide had apparently not been investigated.
2001 © ACGIH
Animal Studies
Acute
(6)
Brunot found that rabbits exposed for 30 minutes
to osmium tetroxide in concentrations estimated at >
3
130 mg/m succumbed after 4 days from pulmonary
edema. Rat and mouse 4-hour LC50 values for osmium
3 (7)
tetroxide of 40 ppm (400 mg/m ) were reported.
Toxic effects on the bone marrow in guinea pigs
(4)
exposed to osmium tetroxide have also been reported.
The route of administration, dose, or duration was not
described.
Application of a drop of 1% solution of osmium
tetroxide to a rabbit's eye caused severe corneal
damage, permanent opacity, and superficial
(8)
vacularization.
Human Studies
(4)
According to Hamilton and Hardy, workers
have described the odor of osmium tetroxide as
"having the kick of a mule." Irritation of the nose and
throat may persist at least 12 hours after cessation
of exposure. Osmium tetroxide has a caustic action
(4)
on the skin that has produced dermatitis.
(6)
Brunot, after a brief exposure to osmium
tetroxide vapor from opening four 0.25-gram
ampoules, experienced delayed lacrimation and
(9)
"halo" effects. According to Flury and Zernik, the
highest concentration that can be tolerated for 6
3
hours without harmful effects is 0.001 mg/m .
(10)
McLaughlin et al. found concentrations of
3
osmium tetroxide ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 mg/m in
the air of a precious metal refining plant. The
workers suffered from lacrimation and vision
disturbances such as a gritty feeling in the eyes and
the appearance of rings around lights. Some
employees complained of headache, conjunctivitis,
and cough. Exposure was not continuous, and
symptoms sometimes developed after inhaling
osmium tetroxide for 2 hours. In most cases,
recovery occurred within a few days.
(10)
McLaughlin et al. referred to a human fatality
resulting from inhalation of osmium tetroxide in
Osmium Tetroxide – 1
1874. The concentration of the vapor was not
reported. The osmium tetroxide vapor caused
capillary bronchitis, which brought about the death of
the worker. The autopsy revealed frank pulmonary
edema and other findings similar to those in animals
exposed to the vapor of osmium tetroxide.
TLV Recommendation
Osmium tetroxide is an irritant of the eyes,
(4,6,10)
mucous membranes, and the skin. Based on
the report that irritation or other harmful effects did
not occur in humans exposed to osmium tetroxide at
3
concentrations up to 0.001 mg/m (0.0001 ppm) for
(9)
6 hours and on the report of transient vision distur-
3 (10)
bance at concentrations from 0.1 to 0.6 mg/m ,
3
TLV–TWA of 0.0002 ppm (0.0016 mg/m , as Os)
3
and a TLV–STEL of 0.0006 ppm (0.0047 mg/m , as
Os) are recommended for osmium tetroxide.
Sufficient data were not available to recommend
Skin, SEN, or carcinogenicity notations.
Historical TLVs
1962: Proposed: TLV–TWA, 0.0002 ppm
1963–present: TLV–TWA, 0.0002 ppm
1976–present: TLV–STEL, 0.0006 ppm
2 – Osmium Tetroxide
References
1. Amoore, J.E.; Hautala, E.: Odor as an Aid to Chemical
Safety: Odor Thresholds Compared with Threshold
Limit Values and Volatilities for 214 Industrial
Chemicals in Ai r and Water Dilution. J. Appl. Toxicol.
3(6):272–290 (1983).
2. Merck & Co., Inc.: Osmium Tetroxide. In: The Merck
Index, 12th edition on CD-ROM, Version 12.1. S.
Budavari, M. O'Neil, A. Smith, et al., Eds. Chapman &
Hall, New York (1996).
3. Lide, D.R.; Frederikse, H.P.R. (Eds.): Osmium
Tetroxide. In: Handbook of Chemistry and Physics,
77th ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL (1996).
4. Hamilton, A.; Hardy, H.: Industrial Toxicology, 3rd ed.,
pp. 155–156. Publishing Sciences Group, Acton, MA
a (1974).
5. Fairhall, L.T.: Industrial Toxicology, p. 120, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore (1949).
6. Brunot, F.R.: The Toxicity of Osmium Tetroxide
(Osmic Acid). J. Ind. Hyg. 15:136–143 (1933).
7. Shell Chemical Co.: Unpublished Report, p. 8. Shell
Chemical Co., San Ramon, CA (1961).
8. Grant, W.M.: Toxicology of the Eye, 3rd ed., p. 682.
Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL (1986).
9. Flury, F.; Zernik, F.: Schadliche Gase, p. 253. J.
Springer, Berlin (1931).
10. McLaughlin, A.; Milton, R.; Perry, K.: Toxic
Manifestation of Osmium Tetroxide. Br. J. Ind. Med.
3:183–186 (1946).
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