Chromium and compounds

7440-47-3; varies

Cr, varies

Metals

Chrome; Chromium compounds; [NIOSH]

Chromium Compounds, Inorganic

Blue-white to steel-gray, lustrous, brittle, hard, odorless solid; [NIOSH]

MINING, SMELTING, OR METALLURGY: Ore mining and crushing operations; Alloy production; Produce chromates from chromite; MANUFACTURING: Textile dyes; Paint pigments; Chrome plating; Leather tanning; Printing inks and toners; Photoengraving; Automotive & aircraft parts; Joint prostheses; Refractory bricks & kilns; USING: Heat or machine chromium alloys; Arc weld stainless steel; Spray paint Cr pigments; Mix and lay cement or concrete; Use water system corrosion inhibitors, wood preservatives, or glassware-cleansing solutions; Use hexavalent chromates in hardeners for epoxy resin sealants;

Chromium metal and Cr III compounds are IARC 3 (not classifiable), while the Cr VI compounds are IARC 1 (human carcinogens); Hexavalent chromium compounds (Cr VI) include: A) water-soluble compounds: chromium trioxide (chromic acid), and monochromates and dichromates of sodium, potassium, ammonium, lithium, cesium and rubidium; B) water-insoluble compounds: zinc chromate, strontium chromate and sintered chromium trioxide; [ACGIH] "NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds (including chromic acid, tert-butyl chromate, zinc chromate, and chromyl chloride) to be potential occupational carcinogens." [NIOSH Pocket Guide Appendix] "Compounds of Cr III do not cause chrome ulcerations and do not generally initiate allergic dermatitis without prior sensitization by CrVI compounds." [ILO Encyclo, Vol 3, p. 63.1-63.68] Skin absorption is good for Cr VI, poor for Cr III. [Zenz, p. 487] Chromates, the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, are released as hexavalent chromium from chrome-plated metal tools and machine parts. [Marks, p. 117-9] Chromium is genotoxic, and animal experiments show effects on sperm motility. No available evidence of birth defects in humans. [Frazier] Chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium may cause mild to moderate liver injury. [ATSDR Case Studies # 4] Kidney injury has been reported in workers exposed to hexavalent chromium compounds; [ACGIH] Asthma reported in printer, plater, welder, and tanner (chromium and nickel); [Malo] Allergic contact dermatitis in agricultural workers, construction workers, mechanics, and printers; [Marks] Can cause immunologic, occupational contact urticaria; [Kanerva 2004, p. 104] "Bivalent compounds are unstable and have little commercial value." Hexavalent chromium is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, but an uncommon cause of occupational asthma. [Asthma in the Workplace, p. 531]

Chromium(VI), water-soluble fume (applicable for manual metal arc stainless steel welding only): Total Cr in urine = 10 ug/L (increase during shift) or 25 ug/L (end of shift at end of workweek)

Insufficient data

Yes

0.5 mg/m3, as Cr(metal, Cr(III) inorganic compds), 0.05 mg/m3, as Cr(Cr(VI)water sol. inorganic compds), 0.01 mg/m3,as Cr(Cr(VI) water insol. inorganic compds)

1 mg/m3(metal), 0.5 mg/m3, as Cr(Cr(II) and Cr(III) inorganic compds), 0.005 mg/m3, as Cr(VI)(water sol. and insol. inorganic compds)

250 mg/m3,as Cr(metal and Cr(II)compds), 25 mg/m3, as Cr(Cr(III)compds)

The available toxicological data show no evidence that an acute exposure to a high concentration of chromium metal would impede escape or cause any irreversible health effects within 30 minutes.

Melting Point = 3452 degrees F; Boiling Point = 4788 degrees F;

Blood: 24 days; body: initial elimination 1/2 life = 2-3 days; extended 1/2 life = 1 month; [TDR, p. 368] After chronic exposure, workers can have high levels of chromium in the urine for years. [ACGIH]

ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Chromium

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Hepatotoxin, Secondary

Skin Burns

Known Carcinogen

Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank:

• CHROMIUM, ELEMENTAL

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Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Acute tubular necrosis
• Asthma, occupational
• Chromium, chronic toxic effect
• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Contact urticaria
• Lung cancer

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Abrasive Blasting
• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Cement Producing
• Cleaning Furnaces or Flues
• Electroplating
• Fur Dressing and Dyeing
• Glass Manufacturing
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Metal Machining
• Metal Preparation and Pouring
• Metal Thermal Spraying
• Mining
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Photographic Processing
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Silk-Screen Printing
• Smelting Copper or Lead
• Steel Producing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Welding
• Welding Over Coatings

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Ceramics making
• Enameling
• Glassblowing
• Lithography printing
• Living near chromium plating or chromate plant
• Painting
• Smoking cigarettes
• Textile arts