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Public Comment Period Extended for NIOSH Draft Hexavalent Chromium Document
A public review is currently being conducted of the NIOSH draft document “ NIOSH Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium.” This draft NIOSH document provides a review of the available literature and an update of NIOSH policies on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds including an assessment of: (1) critical animal, human, and in vitro studies on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium; (2) relevant quantitative risk assessments about occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium; (3) appropriate methods for sampling and analysis of hexavalent chromium compounds in the workplace; (4) basis for the NIOSH revised Recommended Exposure Limit for hexavalent chromium compounds; and (5) other NIOSH recommendations for protecting workers from occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium. Written public comments on the draft document will be accepted by the NIOSH Docket Office until March 31, 2009.NIOSH has extended the previous comment deadline of January 31, 2009 by 60 days to March 31, 2009 due to a request to allow the public more time to gather and submit information. A copy of the draft NIOSH document, instructions about providing written comments, and information about the associated public meeting are available on the NIOSH Hexavalent Chromium draft document Web page.
Overview
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds are a group of chemical substances
that contain the metallic element chromium in its positive-6 valence
(hexavalent) state. Occupational exposures to Cr(VI) occur during
the production of stainless steel, chromate chemicals, and chromate
pigments. Cr(VI) exposures also occur during other work activities
such as stainless steel welding, thermal cutting, chrome plating,
NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds to be potential occupational
carcinogens. An increased risk of lung cancer has been demonstrated
in workers exposed to Cr(VI) compounds. Other adverse health effects
associated with Cr(VI) exposure include dermal irritation, skin
ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal
irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed,
respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation
and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary
congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration
of the teeth.
Cr(VI) compounds vary in solubility from those that are readily
soluble to those which are practically insoluble in water. In 1975
NIOSH documented the carcinogenic effects of water-insoluble Cr(VI)
compounds. The NIOSH 1988 testimony to OSHA on the air contaminants
standard recommended that all Cr(VI) compounds, regardless of their
degree of solubility in water, be considered occupational carcinogens.
NIOSH is currently reviewing and evaluating the available information
on Cr(VI) compounds including the toxicology, health ef
fects, industrial
hygiene, and analytical chemistry literature in order to update
its 1975 criteria document on Cr(VI). |
NIOSHTIC-2 Search
NIOSHTIC-2
search results on Hexavalent Chromium
NIOSHTIC-2 is
a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health
publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported
in whole or in part by NIOSH.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149
Exposure limits, Respirator Recommendations, First Aid, more...
The Pocket Guide is a source of general industrial hygiene information on several
hundred chemicals/classes found in the work environment. Key data provided for
each chemical/substance includes name (including synonyms/trade names), structure/formula,
CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical
and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator
recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.
Immediately
Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Chromic acid and Chromates
IDLHs document the criteria and information sources that have been used
to determine immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations of
workers.
NIOSH 2002 Comments on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) Request for Information on Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium.
 PDF
only 208KB (17 pages).
NIOSH comments provide information in response to OSHA questions regarding
occupational exposure to Cr(VI) published in the Federal Register on August
22, 2002 [67 FR 54389]. Submitted to 29 CFR Part 1910 Docket No. H-0054a.
Criteria for a recommended standard: Welding, brazing, and thermal cutting [1988]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 88-110.
Presents the criteria and standards for preventing occupational diseases
arising from exposure to welding, brazing, and thermal cutting.
Current Intelligence
Bulletin 4: Chrome pigment [1976]
Provides information about lead chromate.
Criteria for a
Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Chromium (VI) [1975]
HEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 76-129.
Presents the criteria and standards for preventing occupational diseases
arising from exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds. Revises the chromic
acid standard.
Criteria for
a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Chromic Acid [1973]
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 73-11021.
Presents the criteria and standards for preventing occupational diseases
arising from exposure to chromic acid.
Sampling and Analysis
NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM), 4th edition
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-113 (1994)
NMAM
is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in
workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally
exposed. These methods have been developed or adapted by NIOSH or its
partners and have been evaluated according to established experimental
protocols and performance criteria. NMAM also includes chapters on quality
assurance, sampling, portable instrumentation, etc.
- NIOSH Method 7605 - Hexavalent Chromium by Ion Chromatography [2003]
PDF only 102KB (5 pages)
- NIOSH Method 7604 – Hexavalent Chromium [1994]
PDF
only 305KB (4 pages)
- NIOSH Method 7600 – Hexavalent Chromium [1994]
PDF only 24KB (4 pages)
- NIOSH Method 7703 – Hexavalent Chromium by Field-Portable Spectrophotometry
[2003]
PDF only 109KB (5 pages)
- NIOSH Method 9101 – Hexavalent Chromium in Settled Dust Samples
[1996]
PDF only 6KB (1 page)
OSHA Methods
Selected Journal Articles and abstracts
The following are selected journal articles by NIOSH authors on the sampling
and analysis of Cr(VI).
Health Hazard Evaluations
The Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch (HETAB) of NIOSH
conducts field investigations of possible health hazards in the workplace.
HETAB has conducted many field investigations of potential occupational
exposure to hexavalent chromium. For more information on the health hazard
evaluation (HHE) program and to search for HHEs involving hexavalent chromium
exposure link to: Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) home page.
Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) - ToxFAQs: Chromium VI
External Link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts7.html
En español
ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Chromium, Draft for Public Comment, 2008
External Link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp7.html
Provides a comprehensive review of the occupational and environmental
scientific literature on chromium compounds.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards: Hexavalent Chromium
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/standards.html
Highlights OSHA standards, Federal Registers, directives, and standard interpretations related to Cr(VI).
OSHA
Safety and Health Topics: Hexavalent Chromium
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/index.html
Provides information about relevant OSHA standards, evaluation of exposure,
and workplace solutions. Provides links to policy statements including
the OSHA final rule on hexavalent chromium.
OSHA Fact Sheet: Health Effects of Hexavalent Chromium
 PDF
only 20KB (2 pages)
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/hexavalent_chromium.pdf
This document offers preventative measures to reduce the harmful physical
effects of hexavalent chromium, explains how employees can be exposed
to it, and highlights some of the final standard's requirements.
U.S. EPA Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium [1998]
External Link: http://www.epa.gov/iris/toxreviews/0144-tr.pdf
Provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard identification
and dose-response assessment in IRIS pertaining to chronic exposure to
hexavalent chromium.
U.S. EPA Integrated
Risk Information System Information on Chromium (VI) [1998]
External Link: http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0144.htm
Provides comprehensive hazard assessment information about hexavalent
chromium.
National Toxicology Program 11th Report on Carcinogens: Chromium Hexavalent Compounds
PDF
only (4 pages)
External Link: http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s045chro.pdf
International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol. 49: Chromium, Nickel and Welding (1990)
PDF
only 81.4 KB (36 pages)
External Link: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol49/volume49.pdf
U.S. Department of Energy Safety Bulletin 2006-01: Hexavalent Chromium (Update)
PDF only (4 pages)
External Link: http://www.eh.doe.gov/paa/safety_bulletins/2006-01.pdf
Provides updated information about hexavalent chromium, changes to the
OSHA standard, and recommendations for minimizing exposure during welding,
torching, or burning of Cr(VI)-containing materials.
Related NIOSH Safety and Health Topics
Chemical Safety Topic Page
Provides databases and other resources about chemical safety.
Chromium Topic Page
Provides information about chromium compounds relevant to workplace exposures.
Protective Clothing Topic Page
Provides information about protecting the skin from workplace health hazards.
Respirators Topic Page
Provides information about respirators including selection, cleaning and
maintenance, certification, standards and rulemaking, user notices, and
other resources.
Skin Exposures and Effects Topic Page
Provides information about workplace skin exposures.
Take Home Toxins Topic Page
Provides links to NIOSH publications about take-home toxins.
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