Resources to Identify and Mitigate Exposure Risks to Hexavalent Chromium

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is described by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium compounds are usually man-made and are widely used in different industries.

OSHA reports that chromium metal is added to alloy steel to increase hardenability and corrosion resistance. A major source of worker exposure to Cr(VI) occurs during “hot work”, such as welding on stainless steel and other alloy steels containing chromium metal. Hexavalent chromium compounds may also be used as pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics. It may even be used as an anticorrosive agent added to paints, primers, and other surface coatings. The hexavalent chromium compound chromic acid is used to electroplate chromium onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating.

Exposure to hexavalent chromium can happen by breathing it, ingesting it in contaminated food or water, or by direct contact with the skin. The National Toxicology Program states it is an established human carcinogen in certain occupational settings as a result of inhalation exposure. One’s chances of developing lung, nasal, or sinus cancer increases with the amount of hexavalent chromium inhaled and the length of time they are exposed.

To protect workers, OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Cr(VI) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL). To help in this effort, the industrial hygiene professionals at CSC assist companies with compliance strategies to protect their workers from these types of exposure concerns. CSC offers industrial hygiene testing and monitoring, engineering control assessments, personal protective equipment training and respiratory mask fit testing, employee hazard communication training, and other services.

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about hexavalent chromium exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/c2NNo8u77vM

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call 800-807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC)

Since 1996, CSC has helped clients in the public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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