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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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. Page 20 of 67
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Chromium Toxicity Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) Answers 4. The correct answer is D. Workers in industries producing and using chromium are at greatest risk of its adverse effects. Residents near chromate production facilities might be exposed to higher-thanbackground levels of Cr(VI). In addition, because tobacco contains chromium, tobacco smokers bear the risk of exposure to chromium as well. Page 21 of 67
Page 1 and 2: Agency for Toxic Substances and Dis
Page 19: Agency for Toxic Substances and Dis
Page 67: Agency for Toxic Substances and Dis

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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?