Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes hexavalent chromium as a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) compounds are usually man-made and are widely used in many different industries. Exposure can occur through breathing it, ingesting it in food or water, or direct contact with the skin.
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.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) reports that hexavalent chromium is an established human carcinogen in certain occupational settings as a result of inhalation exposure. Hexavalent chromium compounds have also been found in some drinking water sources.
OSHA warns that all hexavalent chromium compounds are considered carcinogenic to workers. The risk of developing lung, nasal, and sinus cancer increases with the amount of hexavalent chromium inhaled and the length of time the worker is exposed. The agency also cautions that exposure can cause other serious issues with the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin.
To help protect workers, OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL). Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added hexavalent chromium compounds to the list of substances known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm for purposes of Proposition 65.
These are just a few of the many things to know about hexavalent chromium and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes hexavalent chromium as a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) compounds are usually man-made and are widely used in many different industries. Exposure can occur through breathing it, ingesting it in food or water, or direct contact with the skin.
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.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) reports that hexavalent chromium is an established human carcinogen in certain occupational settings as a result of inhalation exposure. Hexavalent chromium compounds have also been found in some drinking water sources.
OSHA warns that all hexavalent chromium compounds are considered carcinogenic to workers. The risk of developing lung, nasal, and sinus cancer increases with the amount of hexavalent chromium inhaled and the length of time the worker is exposed. The agency also cautions that exposure can cause other serious issues with the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin.
To help protect workers, OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL). Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added hexavalent chromium compounds to the list of substances known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm for purposes of Proposition 65.
These are just a few of the many things to know about hexavalent chromium and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
