NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:Hexavalent Chromium |
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OverviewHexavalent 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 effects, industrial hygiene, and analytical chemistry literature in order to update its 1975 criteria document on Cr(VI). NIOSH Draft Criteria Document UpdateThe NIOSH draft document “NIOSH Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium” is undergoing external peer review until May 1, 2009. Public comments on the draft document were accepted by the NIOSH Docket Office until March 31, 2009. This draft 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. The draft NIOSH document, public comments received, and related information is available on the NIOSH Docket Office Number 144 Web page. NIOSHTIC-2 SearchNIOSHTIC-2
search results on Hexavalent Chromium NIOSH ResourcesNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards 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. Criteria for a recommended standard: Welding, brazing, and thermal cutting [1988] Current Intelligence
Bulletin 4: Chrome pigment [1976] Criteria for a
Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Chromium (VI) [1975] Criteria for
a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Chromic Acid [1973] Sampling and AnalysisNIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM), 4th edition
Selected Journal Articles and abstracts
Health Hazard EvaluationsThe 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 ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Chromium, Draft for Public Comment, 2008 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards: Hexavalent Chromium OSHA
Safety and Health Topics: Hexavalent Chromium OSHA Fact Sheet: Health Effects of Hexavalent Chromium U.S. EPA Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium [1998] U.S. EPA Integrated
Risk Information System Information on Chromium (VI) [1998] National Toxicology Program 11th Report on Carcinogens: Chromium Hexavalent Compounds International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol. 49: Chromium, Nickel and Welding (1990) U.S. Department of Energy Safety Bulletin 2006-01: Hexavalent Chromium (Update) Related NIOSH Safety and Health Topics
Chemical Safety Topic Page Chromium Topic Page Protective Clothing Topic Page Respirators Topic Page Skin Exposures and Effects Topic Page Take Home Toxins Topic Page Page last updated:
April 8, 2009
Page last reviewed: March 30, 2009 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Information Division |
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