Work should take place in a safe and healthy working environment; work conditions should be consistent with workers’ well-being and human dignity; work should offer real possibilities for personal achievement, self-fulfillment, and service to society.- International Labor Organization (ILO)
Understanding the Characteristics of Chromium
Chromium is a solid and shiny metal that resists rusting. It can be found in the environment as different compounds, some more stable and safe than others. However, some forms of chromium can be dangerous to people who work with them. It’s essential to be cautious and take safety measures when working with this chemical.
Chromium is a chemical element in two forms: chromium (VI) and chromium (III). The latter is less harmful and an essential nutrient for humans in small amounts. We can find it in dietary supplements, like chromium (III) picolinate. Our body converts chromium (VI) to chromium (III), the safer form vital in various biological functions.
In some workplaces, chromium is a chemical that can be present in different forms. These forms can have different effects on people’s health. We can group these forms into three categories:
- Chromium metals and alloys: Some workplace materials, like stainless steel, contain chromium.
- Trivalent chromium compounds: These chemicals contain a smaller amount of chromium, including chromic oxide and chromic sulfate.
- Hexavalent chromium compounds: These chemicals contain a more significant amount of chromium, and we can divide them into two groups depending on how easily they dissolve in water. Some examples include sodium dichromate and zinc chromate.
When working with them, it’s essential to be aware of these different types of chromium and their potential effects on health.
Occupational exposures
Chromium is one of the most widely used industrial metals. Chromium compounds expose several million workers worldwide, as estimated. We mainly use it in three types of industries:
- In industries that work with metals, chromium is crucial for making stainless steel and different metal mixtures. Chromium ores, mainly chromite, create ferrochrome, a key ingredient in metal production.
- In the chemical industry, chromium is used primarily in chrome plating, leather tanning, and paint pigments (chromium compounds can be red, yellow, orange, and green). We can also use them in the textile industry for dyeing, silk treating, printing, and mothproofing wool and wood treatment. We use smaller amounts in catalysts, copy machine toners, corrosion inhibitors, drilling muds, magnetic tapes, photographic chemicals, safety matches, and water treatment. Traces of chromium are also present in concrete.
- Chromium is vital in applications requiring heat resistance. Industries use it to make magnesite-chrome firebricks for furnace linings and granular chromite for other heat-resistant purposes.
Occupational sources of chromium include:
- anti-algal agents,
- antifreeze,
- cement,
- chrome alloy production,
- chrome electroplating,
- copier servicing,
- glass making,
- leather tanning,
- paints/pigments,
- photoengraving,
- porcelain and ceramics manufacture,
- production of high-fidelity magnetic audio tapes,
- tattooing,
- textile manufacturing,
- welding of alloys or steel, and
- wood preservatives, e.g., acid copper chromate.
Workers at most significant risk are involved in stainless steel welding, chromate production, chrome plating, and chrome pigment industries. Exposure is primarily to chromium (VI) through aerosol inhalation.
Harmful substances like fumes, dust, and vapors can expose people. Your skin can breathe these in or absorb them through the skin. However, ingestion, or swallowing the substance, is usually only a concern outside of work. It’s important to remember that we use a form of chromium called chromium (III) picolinate as a dietary supplement.
Toxicological profile, main health effects, and diagnostic criteria
We absorb Chromium (VI) more readily by inhalation and oral routes. Our body distributes Absorbed chromium to all tissues. Chromium (VI) is unstable and rapidly reduced by endogenous reducing agents to stable chromium (III). Chromium is excreted primarily in the urine and, to a lesser extent, in feces.
Chromium is a chemical element in some workplaces that can harm your health. There are two types of chromium: chromium (III) and chromium (VI). Chromium (VI) is particularly dangerous because it can be absorbed easily by your body and cause more significant harm than chromium (III). Once inside your body, chromium (VI) can turn into chromium (III), which can be harmful and stay in your body for a long time.
Breathing in chromium (VI) can cause breathing problems, such as coughing and feeling like you can’t catch your breath. Exposure to chromium (VI) for a long time can cause more severe problems, like bronchitis and pneumonia, and make breathing harder to do normally.
Breathing in certain types of chromium compounds can lead to respiratory sensitization, which can cause asthma-like symptoms upon further exposure to low levels of these compounds. This type of exposure is common in industries such as welding and manufacturing. Additionally, breathing in other forms of chromium can be toxic to the respiratory system.
Prolonged skin contact may lead to local irritation and sensitization. The workplace’s Chromium (VI) compounds can harm the nasal septum and the eardrum.
Ingesting chromium compounds can harm your stomach and cause bleeding or swelling. Some chromium compounds can even damage your liver or heart and be fatal if consumed in large amounts. These compounds can also affect your blood, causing lower hemoglobin and higher white blood cell counts. If you inhale or swallow too much chromium, it can also damage your kidneys. However, exposure to chromium (III) as part of your job is less likely to harm your kidneys.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified chromium (VI) compounds as carcinogenic to humans, with sufficient evidence for lung cancer in both animal experiments and human studies. There is also some evidence for upper-airway cancer. Chromium (III) is not classifiable in terms of its carcinogenicity to humans.
Acute diseases caused by chromium or its compounds
Respiratory irritation, Chemical bronchitis, and pneumonitis, Upper respiratory tract inflammation, chemical pulmonary edema, Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), Irritant-induced occupational asthma, Acute toxic liver disease, Acute toxic renal failure with tubular necrosis
Clinical manifestations following inhalation
- Breathing in high levels of chromium (VI) compounds can irritate the lungs and upper respiratory tract, leading to symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain. Prolonged exposure to chromic acid mist can also cause headaches, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, seeking medical attention is essential.
- Inhalation of very high chromium concentrations (VI) can result in gastrointestinal and neurological effects.
Clinical manifestations following ingestion
- It is rare to accidentally consume large amounts of chromium (VI) compounds in most workplaces, but doing so can cause serious health problems. These compounds are strong chemicals that can damage various body parts, including the blood, lungs, and metabolism. In severe cases, they can even lead to death. Reports show that people with severe poisoning can develop a condition called methemoglobinemia, which affects the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
- It’s essential to avoid consuming Chromium VI as it can cause severe health problems. It can burn your mouth, throat, stomach, and minor intestine, leading to gastrointestinal necrosis, bleeding, diarrhea, and dehydration. If Chromium VI is present in your body, a protein called proteinuria may appear in your urine, which is an early sign of kidney damage. This damage can lead to acute tubular necrosis and renal failure, which can be dangerous and require immediate medical attention.
- Compounds containing Chromium (VI) can harm the liver and lungs. Exposure to these compounds can cause liver damage, resulting in symptoms such as jaundice and increased bilirubin and enzyme levels. It can also lead to pulmonary effects such as coughing up blood and fluid accumulation in the lungs. It is essential to take precautions to avoid exposure to these harmful compounds.
Clinical manifestations following dermal contact
- When your skin comes in contact with chromium, it can cause a skin reaction. This reaction can make your skin dry, red, cracked, bumpy, and swollen. You might also have small blisters on your skin.
- Exposure to chromium (VI) can cause burns- this is more likely to happen if your skin is already damaged, you’re in a hot environment, or you’re wearing protective gear.
Chronic diseases caused by chromium or its compounds
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Chronic bronchitis, Emphysema
Diagnostic criteria
Symptoms and signs:
- Chronic cough, dyspnoea, and sputum production
- Wheezes
- Decreased intensity of breath sounds
- Prolonged expiration on physical examination
Allergic contact dermatitis
Chromium is one of the most common skin sensitizers. It penetrates undamaged skin and oxidizes proteins, giving rise to sensitizing antigens.
Allergic occupational asthma
Workers may develop asthma following inhalation of chromium (VI) and sensitization, e.g., following low-level exposures to dust, aerosols, or welding fumes.
Allergic disorders of upper airways, Chronic rhinitis
Long-term exposure to chromium compounds may lead to allergic effects in the upper respiratory tract and chronic rhinitis.
Septal ulceration of the nose
Deposition of chromium (VI) containing particulates or mist droplets on the nasal septum may cause painless ulceration of the cartilaginous portion and perforation.
Chrome ulcers
Chronic dermal exposure to chromium (VI) can cause skin ulcers that appear over days. Over a few weeks, the ulcer heals, producing a scar.
Chrome ulcers (chrome holes) are deep, round, and demarcated. They typically appear on the skin at finger joints, finger webs, the base of the nails, the backs of the hands, and the forearm- other body sites can also be affected. Ulcers are more likely if there is a cut, abrasion, or any other defect in the skin.
Over days, a central crater develops, with an intense inflammatory reaction at the margins. The early lesion causes intensive itching at the affected site, particularly at night. Although deeply penetrating, they are usually painless or only slightly painful.
Lung cancer
The IARC classifies chromium (VI) compounds (encountered in chromate production, chromate pigment production, and chromium plating industries) as Group 1 carcinogens, causing lung cancer. Experts observed positive associations for cancers of the nose and nasal sinuses.
Key actions for prevention
Industries should use the hierarchy of controls to minimize exposure to chromium. Industries should design processes to reduce exposure, including adequate exhaust ventilation and suppressing dust or mist containing chromium. Built-in control measures are preferred, requiring the least possible action by either process operators or maintenance staff. Industries must remove spills of liquids or solids to prevent dispersion as airborne dust. Industries should use wet cleaning methods; where this is not possible, the only acceptable alternative is vacuum cleaning.
Industries may employ personal protective equipment (PPE), such as dust masks, where we cannot avoid high concentrations. Areas with high exposures needed air-powered respirators. Providing laundering overalls may help prevent skin contamination. Experts recommend hand and eye protection. Experts recommend regular repair or replacement of all personal protective equipment (PPE. The concentration of chromium-containing dust and fumes in the work environment should preferably be measured regularly by personal and area sampling. Where experts found unacceptable concentrations, the sources of dust or fumes should be identified and controlled.
Industries should explain the hazards associated with exposure to chromium compounds and risk mitigation measures at job entry. Careful washing of the skin after contact and care to avoid friction and sweating are essential in preventing and controlling primary irritation due to chromates. Industries should emphasize the need for high standards of personal hygiene. Regular health surveillance should include continued education and visual inspection for chrome skin ulcers.
If you get a cut or scrape on your skin, even a small one, it’s essential to clean it immediately. Using a clean bandage over the wound can help it heal faster. If you accidentally ingest harmful chemicals like chromic acid or sodium chlorate, it can cause severe poisoning. In such cases, medical professionals might use a treatment called methylthioninium chloride to help. In the past, people used a cream called EDTA to treat skin ulcers caused by exposure to chromium. But now we know that chromium can cause cancer, so it’s better to prevent exposure to safe levels rather than use treatments later on.
If you work in construction or concrete element pre-fabrication, Chromium (VI) may expose you, which can cause allergic skin reactions. However, adding a substance called ferrous sulfate when mixing the concrete can help reduce the risk of this happening. It’s a good practice to prevent skin problems when working with concrete.
In Summary
While chromium is indispensable in various industries, proactive measures are critical to safeguard workers’ health and well-being. Industries can create safer working environments by understanding risks and implementing preventive strategies.
Hi X22keync, Thanks for your email and positive vibes! I appreciate you reaching out to HealthGodzilla.com. Is there anything specific…
Hey people!!!!! Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
Hey, X22keync! 👋 Thanks for stopping by! 😊 We’re happy to have you and wish you good luck! 🍀 Feel…
Hey people!!!!! Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
Leave a Reply