| Agent Name |
Chromic acid and chromates |
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| CAS Number |
7738-94-5, varies |
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| Formula |
Cr-O3, varies |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Chromic acid (CrO3): Chromic anhydride, Chromic oxide, Chromium(VI) oxide (1:3), Chromium trioxide; Synonyms of chromates (i.e., chromium(VI) compounds) such as zinc chromate vary depending upon the specific compound; [NIOSH] UN1463 |
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| Category |
Metals, Inorganic Compounds |
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| Description |
CrO3: Dark-red, odorless flakes or powder. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution (H2CrO4); [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in electroplating, metal cleaning, leather tanning, and photography; [HSDB] |
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| Comments |
Classified as a water-soluble, hexavalent chromium compound; [ACGIH] Chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium may produce evidence of kidney and liver injury. [ATSDR Case Studies # 4] Can cause second and third degree burns on short contact; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Occupational asthma documented in a cement floor worker, plater, and other workers exposed to chromate salt; [Malo] Epidemiological studies of chromate production workers showed increased lung cancer. [IARC] See "Chromium and compounds." |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| Bioaccumulates |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.05 mg/m3, as Cr |
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| PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.1 mg/m3, as CrO3 |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
15 mg/m3, as Cr(VI) |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: A worker exposed for several days to concentrations of chromic acid mist of about 20 to 30 mg/m3 (equivalent to about 10 to 15 mg Cr(VI)/m3) experienced cough, headache, dyspnea, and substernal pain; the signs persisted for 2 weeks [ILO 1971]. Another man working on the same process was similarly but less severely affected [ILO 1971]. |
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| Explanatory Notes |
The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "chromic acid, solution." |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Asthma |
Yes |
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| Lung Cancer |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
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