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

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Chromium Toxicity
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM)
What are the Standards and Regulations for Chromium Exposure?
Learning
Objectives
Upon completion of this section, you will be able to
• Identify the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for chromium.
• Identify EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for chromium in
drinking water.
Introduction The government has developed regulations and guidelines for chromium.
These are designed to protect the public from potential adverse health
effects.
Workplace
Guidelines
OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established
an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposure limit of 5 micrograms of
Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air (5 μg/m³). This is a considerable reduction from
the previous permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 52 μg/m³ [Federal Register
2006].
OSHA’s standard is based upon the best evidence currently available that at
the previous PEL for Cr(VI), workers face a significant risk to material
impairment of their health. The evidence in the record for this rulemaking
indicates that workers exposed to Cr(VI) are at an increased risk of
developing lung cancer. The record also indicates that occupational exposure
to Cr(VI) may result in asthma and damage to the nasal epithelia and skin.
[Federal Register 2006].
The final rule also contains ancillary provisions for worker protection such as
• requirements for exposure determination,
• preferred exposure control methods, including a compliance alternative
for a small sector for which the new PEL is infeasible,
• respiratory protection,
• protective clothing and equipment,
• hygiene areas and practices,
• medical surveillance,
• record keeping, and
• start-up dates that include four years for the implementation of
engineering controls to meet the PEL [Federal Register 2006].
For Cr(II) and Cr(III) compounds, the PEL is an 8-hour TWA of 500 μg
Cr/m³. For chromium metal and for insoluble compounds, the PEL is 1,000
μg Cr/m³[OSHA 2006].
NIOSH
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has
recommended a 10-hour TWA exposure limit for all Cr(VI) compounds of 1
μg Cr(VI)/m³. For chromium metal and Cr (II) and Cr(III) compounds, the
recommended exposure limit is 500 μg /m³ as an 10-hour TWA [NIOSH
2005].
On the basis of current evidence, NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds
potential occupational carcinogens.
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