TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR CHROMIUM - Davidborowski.com

CHROMIUM 432. HEALTH EFFECTSengaged in chromate production in Italy where exposure concentrations were $0.01 mgchromium(VI)/m 3 , hematological evaluation of workers who worked in the production of dichromate andchromium trioxide for at least 1 year were unremarkable or inconclusive (Sassi 1956). In an extensivesurvey to determine the health status of chromate workers in seven U.S. chromate production plants,hematological evaluations revealed no effects on red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or whiteblood cell counts. The sedimentation rate of red cells was higher than that of controls, but the differencewas not statistically significant. Various manufacturing processes in the plants resulted in exposure ofworkers to chromite ore (mean time-weighted concentration of 0–0.89 mg chromium(III)/m 3 ); watersolublechromium(VI) compounds (0.005–0.17 mg chromium(VI)/m 3 ); and acid-soluble/water-insolublechromium compounds (including basic chromium sulfate), which may or may not entirely representchromium(III) (0–0.47 mg chromium/m 3 ) (PHS 1953). Likewise, no effects on red blood cell counts,white blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels, or sedimentation rate were found in a case control study of 17male manual metal arc stainless steel welders from six industries with mean occupational durations of20 years (Littorin et al. 1984). No hematological disorders were found among 106 workers in achromium(III) producing plant where workroom levels were #1.99 mg chromium(III)/m 3 aschromium(III) oxide and chromium(III) sulfate (Korallus et al. 1974a).Results from hematological evaluations in rats were also equivocal. Hematological evaluations of ratsexposed to sodium dichromate at 0.025–0.2 mg chromium(VI)/m 3 for 28 or 90 days or 0.1 mgchromium(VI)/m 3 for 18 months were unremarkable (Glaser et al. 1985, 1986, 1988). However,increased white blood cell counts were found in rats exposed to $0.1 mg chromium(VI)/m 3 as sodiumdichromate for 30 days and at $0.05 mg chromium(VI)/m 3 for 90 days. The white blood cell counts werenot increased 30 days postexposure (Glaser et al. 1990). Rats exposed to 0.1 mg chromium/m 3 as a 3:2mixture of chromium(VI) trioxide and chromium(III) oxide for 18 months had increased red and whiteblood cell counts, hemoglobin content, and hematocrit (Glaser et al. 1986, 1988).No changes in hematological parameters were observed in rats exposed to 15.5 mg chromium(IV)/m 3 aschromium dioxide for 2 years (Lee et al. 1989).Musculoskeletal Effects. No musculoskeletal effects have been reported in either humans oranimals after inhalation exposure to chromium.