TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR CHROMIUM - Davidborowski.com

CHROMIUM 2512. HEALTH EFFECTSeffects such as respiratory irritation, nasal septum perforation, and chrome sores on the skin (Bovet et al.1977; Cohen et al. 1974; Davies et al. 1991; Gomes 1972; Hanslian et al. 1967; Keskinen et al. 1980;Kleinfeld and Rosso 1965; Lee and Goh 1988; Leiberman 1941; Letterer 1939; Lucas and Kramkowski1975; Mancuso 1951; Meyers 1950; Novey et al. 1983; Olaguibel and Basomba 1989; Pastides et al.1991; PHS 1953; Royle 1985b; Sassi 1956; Sluis-Cremer and du Toit 1968; Sorahan et al. 1987; Taylor1966). Epidemiology studies in the chromate production industry and in chrome pigment manufactureand chrome plating have consistently shown an association with increased risk of lung cancer, but studiesin other industries, such as stainless steel welding, electroplating, and ferrochromium production haveyielded inconclusive results. Exposure to chromium(VI) in these industries is associated with theseeffects, but the case for chromium(III) is less clear. Further studies in these industries may lead to moreconclusive results. Measurements of chromium in urine and blood are useful for monitoring occupationalexposure to chromium compounds. However, chromium(III) is an essential nutrient, and levels inbiological fluids might be enough to mask low level exposures. One environmental epidemiology studysuggested that residence near a ferrochromium plant did not pose a risk of cancer (Axelsson and Rylander1980), but an environmental study in China found that residence near an alloy plant that smeltedchromium was associated with increased incidences of lung and stomach cancer (Zhang and Li 1987), buta more recent analysis by Zhang and Li (1997) concluded that increased incidences were more likely dueto lifestyle factors or other environmental factors. The populations residing near other chromium-relatedindustries or near hazardous waste sites containing chromium or its compounds might be the subject foradditional epidemiology studies to determine if chromium levels are elevated in body fluids and if there isan increased incidence of cancer or respiratory diseases.Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect.Exposure. There are studies correlating chromium in urine (Gylseth et al. 1977; Kilburn et al. 1990;Lindberg and Vesterberg 1983a; Lukanova et al. 1996; McAughey et al. 1988; Minoia and Cavalleri1988; Mutti et al. 1985b; Sjogren et al. 1983; Tola et al. 1977), blood (Kilburn et al. 1990; McAughey etal. 1988; Minoia and Cavalleri 1988; Randall and Gibson 1987), hair (Randall and Gibson 1989; Saner etal. 1984; Takagi et al. 1986), and erythrocytes (Lukanova et al. 1996; Minoia and Cavalleri 1988) tooccupational exposure levels. All current methods of biological monitoring are useful primarily foroccupational exposure scenarios. Since chromium is an essential element, levels of chromiumcompounds have to be relatively high in humans before they signify an increase due to exposure. Hairhas been useful in determining chronic occupational exposure to chromium in high concentrations(Randall and Gibson 1989); the usefulness of this method for detecting prior exposures is limited to a