Guidelines for Metals and Metalloids in Ambient ... - ARCHIVE: Defra

Chromium
occasionally reached levels of 289 µg/m 3 , high cumulative exposure was
not associated with an increased risk of chronic bronchitis,
emphysema, shortness of breath, or chronic cough (Pastides et al.,
1994). Among a group of chrome-plating workers in Sweden, with a
median exposure of 2.5 years, transient reductions in lung volumes
have been associated with exposures to Cr(VI) above 2 µg/m 3 (Lindberg
and Hedenstierna, 1983). Among 106 workers producing Cr(III) oxide
and sulphate compounds – with estimated exposures to Cr(III) of
1.99 mg/m 3 there was no evidence of current respiratory disease
(Korallus et al., 1974). Two hundred and twenty one stainless steel
production workers with median exposures to Cr(VI) of 0.0005 µg/m 3
and to Cr(III) of 0.022 µg/m 3 (similar to those in ambient air) had
similar lung function and chest X-ray findings to an unexposed control
group (Huvinen et al., 1996).
264. Chronic rhinitis, nasal ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum
have each been described in occupationally-exposed populations.
There was a high incidence of these outcomes in an Italian population
of chromate production workers with measured exposures to Cr(VI) of
10 µg/m 3 (Sassi, 1956). In the Swedish chrome-platers described above,
clinical evidence of nasal disease was evident among employees with
mean exposure levels to Cr(VI) of 2–200 µg/m 3 . No significant nasal
effects were observed in workers exposed at peak levels of 0.2-1 µg/m 3 .
It is suggested that nasal adverse effects may in part be attributable to
chromium salts being applied directly from contaminated fingers.
265. Sub-clinical evidence suggestive of renal damage has been described in
some populations with occupational exposure to chromium
compounds. In 43 men working in the chromate and dichromate
production industry, where occupational exposures to Cr(VI) were
between 50 and 1000 µg/m 3 there were increased urinary levels of small
proteins (retinol binding protein and tubular antigens) (Franchini and
Mutti, 1988). Studies of populations with lower exposures have found
equivocal or no adverse renal effects. Urinalysis of samples from
Italian chromate production workers with estimated exposures of
10 µg/m 3 found no abnormalities (Sassi, 1956). Elevated urinary levels
of ß2-microglobulin were observed in chrome platers with personal
exposures over about five years to Cr(VI) of 4 µg/m 3 (Lindberg and
Vesterberg, 1983; Liu et al., 1998); but not in retired platers suggesting
a reversible effect (Lindberg and Vesterberg, 1983). Occupational
exposure to Cr(III) or Cr(0) does not appear to be associated with
adverse renal effects.
266. In addition to allergic sensitisation, direct skin contact with chromium
salts can give rise to irritant dermatitis and skin ulceration. These have
been related to airborne concentrations of chromium in the workplace
but it is difficult to disentangle these from dermal exposures.
91