May 12, 2003—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has added a new technical links page to its Web site: “Safety and Health Topics: Hexavalent Chromium.” The site includes information about hexavalent chromium, its forms and uses, how to recognize the substance and evaluate exposure to it, applicable standards and guidelines, controls that can be used to reduce exposure to it, and links to additional information.
Chromium hexavalent (CrVI) compounds, often referred to as hexavalent chromium, exist in several forms. Chromates are often used as pigments for photography, pyrotechnics, dyes, paints, inks, and plastics. They can also be used for stainless steel production, textile dyes, wood preservation, leather tanning, and as anti-corrosion coatings (for example, chrome plating and spray coatings).
Workers in many different occupations are exposed to hexavalent chromium. Occupational exposures occur mainly among workers who handle dry chromate-containing pigments, spray chromate-containing paints and coatings, operate chrome plating baths, and weld or cut chromium-containing metals such as stainless steel. Stainless steel welding involves the greatest exposure to hexavalent chromium (and nickel). One study of chromium-nickel alloy foundry workers showed a statistically significant excess of lung cancers.
