(Cr) Toxicity | ATSDR - CSEM - Agency for Toxic Substances and ...

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Chromium Toxicity
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM)
Who Is at Risk of Exposure to Chromium?
Learning
Objectives
Upon completion of this section, you will be able to
• identify who is at risk of exposure to chromium.
Introduction Chromium is one of the most widely used industrial metals. Several million
workers worldwide are estimated to be exposed to chromium compounds in
an array of industries such as pigment production, chrome plating, stainless
steel welding, and leather tanning. Additionally, it is one of the major
contaminants in various hazardous waste sites worldwide, including the
Superfund sites in the United States [EPA 2002; Medeiros, Rodrigues et al.
2003].
Worker
Exposure
Workers in industries that use chromium are at increased risk of chromium’s
adverse health effects. Those workers at greatest risk are those involved in
stainless steel welding, chromate production, chrome plating, and chrome
pigment industries, where exposure is primarily to Cr(VI) via inhalation of
aerosols.
An estimated 558,000 workers in the United States are potentially exposed
to chromium and chromium-containing compounds in the workplace. In
many occupations, workers are exposed to both trivalent chromium (Cr[III])
and Cr(VI), as soluble and insoluble materials [ATSDR 2000; OSHA 2006].
General Public The general population is exposed to chromium by inhaling ambient air,
ingesting food, and drinking water containing chromium.
Key Points
Progress Check
The presence of chromium compounds at hazardous waste sites can
contribute to the exposure of populations residing or working nearby such
sites. These populations may be exposed through to air containing
particulates or mists of Cr(VI) compounds, through drinking water if soluble
forms of Cr(VI) leach into groundwater, or through skin contact with soil at
hazardous waste sites.
The potential for exposure to Cr(VI) at hazardous waste sites must be
determined on a case-by-case basis.
• Workers in industries producing and using chromium are at greatest
risk of its adverse effects.
• The general population is exposed to chromium by inhaling ambient
air, ingesting food, and drinking water containing chromium.
4. Of the following, who is at risk of chromium exposure?
A. Residents near chromate production facilities.
B. Workers in industries that use chromium.
C. Tobacco smokers.
D. All of the above.
To review relevant content, see “Worker Exposure” and “General Public”
in this section.
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