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FactSheet Health Effects of Hexavalent is a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium compounds are man-made and widely used in many different industries.

Some major industrial sources of hexavalent Breathing small amounts of hexavalent chromium chromium are: even for long periods does not cause respiratory • chromate in , , inks, and tract irritation in most people. plastics • chromates added as anti-corrosive agents to Some employees become allergic to hexavalent paints, primers and other surface coatings chromium so that inhaling chromate compounds • chrome by depositing chromium can cause asthma symptoms such as wheezing onto an item’s surface using a of and shortness of breath. chromic • particles released during smelting of ferro- How hexavalent chromium affects the skin chromium Some employees can also develop an allergic • fume from welding stainless or nonfer- skin reaction, called allergic contact dermatitis. rous chromium alloys This occurs from handling liquids or con- • impurity present in portland . taining hexavalent chromium. Once an employee becomes allergic, brief skin contact causes How hexavalent chromium can harm employees swelling and a red, itchy rash that becomes crusty Workplace exposure to hexavalent chromium and thickened with prolonged exposure. Allergic may cause the following health effects: contact dermatitis is long-lasting and more severe • lung in workers who breathe airborne with repeated skin contact. hexavalent chromium • irritation or damage to the nose, throat, and Direct skin contact with hexavalent chromium lung (respiratory tract) if hexavalent chromium can cause a non-allergic skin irritation. Contact is breathed at high levels with non-intact skin can also to chrome • irritation or damage to the eyes and skin if ulcers. These are small crusted skin sores with hexavalent chromium contacts these organs in a rounded border. They heal slowly and leave high concentrations. scars.

How hexavalent chromium affects the nose, How employees can be exposed to throat and lungs hexavalent chromium Breathing in high levels of hexavalent chromium Employees can inhale airborne hexavalent can cause irritation to the nose and throat. chromium as a dust, fume or mist while: Symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, • producing chromate pigments and powders; coughing, itching and a burning sensation. ; chromium catalysts, dyes, and coatings Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause sores • working near chrome electoplating to develop in the nose and result in nosebleeds. If • welding and hotworking , high the damage is severe, the nasal septum (wall sep- chrome alloys and chrome-coated metal arating the nasal passages) develops a hole in it • applying and removing chromate-containing (perforation). paints and other surface coatings. Skin exposure can occur during direct handling hazard present from skin or eye contact. of hexavalent chromium-containing , • implement good personal hygiene and house- coatings, and . keeping practices to prevent hexavalent chromium exposure. Steps OSHA has taken to protect • prohibit employee rotation as a method to employees from health hazards caused achieve compliance with the exposure limit by hexavalent chromium (PEL). The new OSHA workplace standard requires • provide respiratory protection as specified in employers to: the standard. • limit eight-hour time-weighted average hexa- • make available medical examinations to valent chromium exposure in the workplace to employees within 30 days of initial assign- 5 micrograms or less per cubic meter of air. ment, annually, to those exposed in an emer- • perform periodic monitoring at least every 6 gency situation, to those who experience signs months if initial monitoring shows employee or symptoms of adverse health effects associ- exposure at or above the action level (2.5 ated with hexavalent chromium exposure, to micrograms per cubic meter of air calculated those who are or may be exposed at or above as an 8-hour time-weighted average). the action level for 30 or more days a year, and • provide appropriate personal protective cloth- at termination of employment. ing and equipment when there is likely to be a

For more complete information:

U.S. Department of Labor www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA

DSG 7/2006