HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

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, and chrome plating.

NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens. Occupational exposure to Cr(VI) compounds is associated with lung, nasal, and sinus cancer. Other respiratory effects include nasal irritation and ulceration, and perforation of the nasal septum and eardrum. Dermal exposure to Cr(VI) compounds can cause skin irritation, ulceration, sensitization, and allergic contact dermatitis.

NIOSH Draft Criteria Document Update

The NIOSH draft document “NIOSH Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium” provides a review of the scientific 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 external review draft of the NIOSH document, public comments, and peer review comments received are available on the NIOSH Docket Office Number 144 Web page. The NIOSH draft document has been revised based on the comments received during the public review and peer review comment periods. It is being prepared for the final steps of the NIOSH review and clearance process prior to publication.

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.

Blade LM, Yencken MS, Wallace ME, Catalano JD, Khan A, Topmiller JL, Shulman SA, Martinez A, Crouch KG, Bennett JS [2007]. Hexavalent chromium exposures and exposure-control technologies in American enterprise: results of a NIOSH field research study. J Occup Environ Hyg 4(8):596-618.

Boiano JM, Wallace ME, Sieber WK, Groff JH, Wang J, Ashley K [2000]. Comparison of three sampling and analytical methods for the determination of airborne hexavalent chromium. J Environ Monit 2(4):329-33.

Hazelwood KJ, Drake PL, Ashley K, Marcy D [2004]. Field method for the determination of insoluble or total hexavalent chromium in workplace air. J Occup Environ Hyg 1(9):613-619.

Keane M, Stone S, Chen B, Slaven J, Schwegler-Berry D, Antonini J [2009]. Hexavalent chromium content in stainless steel welding fumes is dependent on the welding process and shield gas type. J Environ Monit 11(2):418-424.

Park RM, Bena JF, Stayner LT, Smith RJ, Gibb HJ, Lees PSJ [2004]. Hexavalent chromium and lung cancer in the chromate industry: a quantitative risk assessment. Risk Anal 2004 24(5):1099-1108.

Park RM, Stayner LT [2006]. A search for thresholds and other nonlinearities in the relationship between hexavalent chromium and lung cancer. Risk Anal 26(1):79-88.

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.