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HOME   ABOUT OCCU-TEC Diversity Statement Corporate Social Responsibility Site Map   SERVICES Environmental Mgmt. Energy Systems Loss Prevention Learning Solutions   PARTNERS    CAREERS   CONTACT US		Industrial Hygiene Services Health Effects of Hexavalent Chromium   Your employees may be exposed to hexavalent chromium if:  They work near welding and/or hot-working stainless steel, high chrome alloys or chrome-coated metal. They work near operations that apply or remove chromate-containing paints or coatings. They work near chrome electroplating. They work near production of chromate pigments and powders; chromic acid; chromium catalysts, dyes, and coatings. Workplace exposure to hexavalent chromium may cause the following health effects: Lung cancer in workers who breathe airborne hexavalent chromium. Irritation or damage to the nose, throat, and lung (respiratory tract) if hexavalent chromium is breathed at high levels. Irritation or damage to the eyes and skin if hexavalent chromium contacts these organs in high concentrations. How Hexavalent Chromium Affects the Nose, Throat and Lungs Breathing in high levels of hexavalent chromium can cause irritation to the nose and throat.  Symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, itching and a burning sensation. Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause sores to develop in the nose and result in nosebleeds.  If the damage is severe, the nasal septum (wall separating the nasal passages) develops a hole in it (perforation). Breathing small amounts of hexavalent chromium even for long periods does not cause respiratory tract irritation in most people. Some employees become allergic to hexavalent chromium so that inhaling chromate compounds can cause asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. How Hexavalent Chromium Affects the Skin Some employees can also develop an allergic skin reaction, called allergic contact dermatitis.  This occurs from handling liquids or solids containing hexavalent chromium. Once an employee becomes allergic, brief skin contact causes swelling and a red, itchy rash that becomes crusty and thickened with prolonged exposure.  Allergic contact dermatitis is long-lasting and more severe with repeated skin contact. Direct skin contact with hexavalent chromium can cause a non-allergic skin irritation.  Contact with non-intact skin can also lead to chrome ulcers.  These are small crusted skin sores with a rounded border.  They heal slowly and leave scars. Some major industrial sources of hexavalent chromium include: Chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics. Chromates added as anti-corrosive agents to paints, primers and other surface coatings. Chrome plating by depositing chromium metal onto an item’s surface using a solution of chromic acid. Particles released during smelting of ferrochromium ore. Fume from welding stainless steel or nonferrous chromium alloys. Impurity present in Portland cement. Information from OSHA We can assist you with an approach to identify and address potential exposure issues with a three step process.  We can: Assess your operations for potential hazards; Conduct Industrial Hygiene (IH) monitoring to confirm and quantify exposures; and Develop recommendations to address any conditions outside permissible exposure limits (PELs).   Back to Loss Prevention 6501 E. Commerce, Suite 230 • Kansas City, MO • 816-231-5580 • 1-800-950-1953		Learn More about OCCU-TEC's Experience LOSS PREVENTION TIPS Federal and State OSHA Compliance Employee Involvement and Communication Safety Committee Safety and Health Program Checklists Industrial Hygiene (Chrome VI) Special Human Resource Programs Hazardous Materials Management Hazard and Incident Analysis Special Safety Programs Equipment and Machinery Transportation and Fleet Safety Property Safety and Protection Security   To Learn more call us: (800) 950-1953