TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR CHROMIUM - Davidborowski.com

CHROMIUM 2532. HEALTH EFFECTSgenotoxic or cancer effects due to chromium exposure. However, only one study has attempted to utilizesuch end points and reported that human volunteers exposed to chromium in drinking water showed noincrease in protein-DNA crosslinking in blood cells (Kuykendall et al. 1996). However, further studiesmay show that other types of lesions induced by chromium may be more sensitive. Räsänen et al. (1991)developed an in vitro method to assess chromium sensitivity by measuring mononuclear leukocyteproliferation in response to chromium(III) chloride, sodium chromate(VI), and potassium chromate(VI).Additional studies would be useful to validate this method.Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion. The pharmacokinetics database issubstantial for human and animal exposure to chromium compounds. Chromium and its compounds canbe absorbed after oral (Anderson 1981, 1986; Anderson et al. 1983; Bunker et al. 1984; Donaldson andBarreras 1966; Finley et al. 1996b; Gargas et al. 1994; Kerger et al. 1997; Kuykendall et al. 1996;Paustenbach et al. 1996), inhalation (Adachi et al. 1981; Cavalleri and Minoia 1985; Glyseth et al. 1977;Langård et al. 1978; Kiilunen et al. 1983; Mancuso 1997b; Minoia and Cavalleri 1988; Randall andGibson 1987; Suzuki et al. 1984; Tossavainen et al. 1980), and dermal (Baranowski-Dutkiewicz 1981;Brieger 1920; Liden and Lundberg 1979; Mali et al. 1963; Samitz and Shrager 1866; Spruit and van Neer1966; Wahlberg 1970; Wahlberg and Skog 1965) exposure. For the general population, oral exposure viathe diet to chromium(III) is the most significant route. Occupational exposure usually involves inhalationand dermal routes. Pharmacokinetic data are generally consistent with regard to absorption, distribution,and excretion among species. Chromium(VI) compounds are absorbed more readily through cellmembranes than are chromium(III) compounds (MacKenzie et al. 1958; Maruyama 1982; Witmer et al.1989, 1991). Absorption is greater through the lungs than through the gastrointestinal tract (Baetjer et al.1959b; Bragt and van Dura 1983; Kuykendall et al. 1996; Visek et al. 1953; Wiegand et al. 1984, 1987).Examination of tissues taken at autopsy from occupationally and environmentally exposed peopleindicate widespread distribution of chromium (Brune et al. 1980; Hyodo et al. 1980; Kollmeier et al.1990; Mancuso 1997b; Schroeder et al. 1962; Teraoka 1981). Widespread distribution of chromium hasalso been found in animals after oral exposure (Kargacin et al. 1993; Witmer et al. 1989, 1991). Thedistribution of chromium in animals after intratracheal, parenteral, or dermal exposure is greatest in thelungs, liver, kidneys, blood, spleen, testes, and brain (Baetjer et al. 1959a; Behari and Tandon 1980;Bryson and Goodal 1983; Coogan et al. 1991b; Lim et al. 1983; Mutti et al. 1979; Tandon et al. 1979;Visek et al. 1953; Wahlberg and Skog 1965; Weber 1983). Oral exposure studies indicate that higherlevels of chromium(VI) compounds are absorbed than are levels of chromium(III) compounds. Studies inhumans occupationally and environmentally exposed to chromium(VI) (Casey and Hambidge 1984;