TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR CHROMIUM - Davidborowski.com

CHROMIUM 2502. HEALTH EFFECTSThere are sufficient data to determine that chromium or its compounds affect the immune system. Moresensitive tests of the immune function after inhalation, oral, or dermal exposure to chromium or itscompounds would be useful to determine the threshold levels for effects in humans. Additional studiesthat explore changes in cytokine levels (Snyder et al. 1996) caused by chromium exposure should provehelpful since they may provide mechanistic information as to how chromium may affect immunefunction.Neurotoxicity. Exposure of humans to high levels of airborne chromium(VI) in occupational andenvironmental settings produced symptoms of dizziness, headache, and weakness (Greater Tokyo Bureauof Hygiene 1989; Lieberman 1941). Cerebral edema was found in a case of fatal poisoning by ingestion(Kaufman et al. 1970). No studies were located describing neurotoxic effects in animals after inhalationand dermal exposure to chromium or its compounds. A 28-day drinking water study in rats reporteddecreased motor activity and ponderal balance (Diaz-Mayans et al. 1986). Some distribution studies havedetected chromium in the brain (Behari and Tandon 1980; Danielsson et al. 1982; Kaufman et al. 1970;Tandon et al. 1979). More recently, patients with 8 to 25-fold higher chromium blood levels that resultedfrom parenteral feeding, did not have increased signs of somatopsychic responses (Lovrinceic et al.1996). However, the number of patients studied was small and they were suffering from serious clinicaldiseases.Since the central nervous system may be a target organ for exposure to chromium or its compounds,additional inhalation, oral, and dermal studies would be useful to corroborate the limited data and wouldprovide useful information for populations near hazardous waste sites. More information on people(adults, children) environmentally exposed to chromium would be useful to assess its potential to effectneuro/behavioral end points.Epidemiological and Human Dosimetry Studies. Most epidemiology studies use cohorts ofoccupationally exposed individuals and provide consistent data indicating that inhaled chromium can becarcinogenic (Alderson et al. 1981; Baetjer 1950b; Bisdtrup 1951; Bidstrup and Case 1956; Braver et al.1985; Dalager et al. 1980; Davies 1979, 1984; Davies et al. 1991; EEH 1976, 1983; Enterline 1974;Franchini et al. 1983; Frentzel-Beyme 1983; Haguenoer et al. 1981; Hayes et al. 1979, 1989; Korallus etal. 1982; Langård and Norseth 1975; Langård and Vigander 1983; Langård et al. 1980; Machle andGregorius 1948; Mancuso 1975, 1997a; Mancuso and Hueper 1951; Ohsaki et al. 1978; Pastides et al.1991, 1994; PHS 1953; Rosenman and Stanbury 1996; Sassi 1956; Satoh et al. 1981; Sheffet et al. 1982;Silverstein et al. 1981; Sjogren et al. 1987; Sorahan et al. 1987; Taylor 1966) and can cause other toxic