Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen, with the major route of exposure through inhalation of vapors or dust. The primary health risk from exposure to Cr(VI) ...PageContentSiteNavigationSearchKeyword:AdvancedsearchViewAllSocialMediaHomeAboutSERDPandESTCPAboutSERDPAboutESTCPPartnershipsInvestmentStrategySERDP&ESTCPOfficeProgramAreasInstallationEnergyandWaterEnvironmentalRestorationMunitionsResponseResourceConservationandResiliencyWeaponsSystemsandPlatformsNewsandEventsCalendarBlogConferences&WorkshopsIntheSpotlightFeaturedInitiativesPerandPolyfluoroalkylSubstancesPFASsRangeSustainmentEnergyAssuranceandResilienceCleanupInitiativesMunitionsResponseInitiativesGreenManufacturingandMaintenanceConservationToolsandTrainingWebinarSeriesInstallationEnergyandWaterEnvironmentalRestorationMunitionsResponseResourceConservationandResiliencyWeaponsSystemsandPlatformsFundingOpportunitiesSERDPSolicitationsESTCPSolicitationsOtherFundingOpportunitiesInvestigatorResourcesSERDPResourcesESTCPResourcesFeaturedInitiativesPer-andPolyfluoroalkylSubstances(PFASs)RangeSustainmentEnergyAssuranceandResilienceCleanupInitiativesMunitionsResponseInitiativesGreenManufacturingandMaintenanceHexavalentChromiumLead-FreeElectronicsConservationHome>FeaturedInitiatives>GreenManufacturingandMai...>HexavalentChromiumHexavalentChromiumTheStrategicEnvironmentalResearchandDevelopmentProgram(SERDP)andEnvironmentalSecurityTechnologyCertificationProgram(ESTCP)WeaponsSystemsandPlatformsProgramAreahasdevelopedastrategytoreduceuseofcadmium(Cd)andhexavalentchromium(Cr6+)by90%ormoreatDepartmentofDefense(DoD)maintenancedepotsoverthenextfiveyears.Thestrategyincludesobjectives,metrics,andactionstodemonstratehowthisreductioncanbeachieved.ThestrategyemployssitedemonstrationsandleveragesDoDresourcestoreplicateprocessesacrosstheDoDdepotcommunity.Italsoincludesarecommendedfuturepathforsuccessintheadvancedcoatingsarea.Theterm“hexavalentchromium”isashorthanddesignationforchemicalcompoundsthatcontaintheelementchromiumintheposi

Hexavalent chromium is a form of the metallic element chromium. Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and volcanic dust and gases. It comes in several different forms, including trivalent chromium and hexavalent chromium.SkipNavigationHexavalentChromiumNIEHSHomePageHealth&EducationBrochures&FactSheetsEnvironmentalHealthTopicsConditions&DiseasesEnvironmentalAgentsAcrylamideAirPollutionandYourHealthAlgalBloomsAllergens&IrritantsDustMitesandCockroachesPetAllergensPollenSmokingandVapingAloeVeraArsenicBisphenolA(BPA)CellPhoneRadioFrequencyRadiationClimateChangeCosmeticsandYourHealthDioxinsElectric&MagneticFieldsEndocrineDisruptorsEssentialOilsFlameRetardantsFormaldehydeGinkgoHairDyeHazardousMaterial/WasteHexavalentChromiumHexavalentChromiumHydraulicFracturing&HealthLeadMercuryMoldNanomaterialsOzonePerfluoroalkylandPolyfluoroalkylSubstances(PFAS)PesticidesRadonSafeWaterandYourHealthSoyInfantFormulaExpertPanelEvaluationofSoyInfantFormulaMeetingSummary&ExpertPanelConclusionsStyreneWeatherExtremesEnvironmentalHealthScienceBasicsPopulationResearchEnfermedadesProvocadasporelAmbientedeAaZScienceEducationKidsEnvironment|KidsHealthResearchFundingOpportunitiesCareers&TrainingNews&EventsAboutNIEHSTableofContentsFurtherReadingIntroductionWhatishexavalentchromium?Hexavalentchromiumisaformofthemetallicelementchromium.Chromiumisanaturallyoccurringelementfoundinrocks,animals,plants,soil,andvolcanicdustandgases.Itcomesinseveraldifferentforms,includingtrivalentchromiumandhexavalentchromium.Trivalentchromiumisoftenreferredtoaschromium(III)andisproposedtobeanessentialnutrientforthebody.Hexavalentchromium,orchromium(VI),isgenerallyproducedbyindustrialprocesses.Howishexavalentchromiumused?Chromiumcompounds,suchashexavalentchromium,arewidelyusedinelectroplating,stainlesssteelproduction,leathertanning,textilemanufacturing,andwoodpreservation.TheU.S.isoneoftheworld'sleadingproducersofchromiumcompounds.Howarepeopleexposedtohexavalentchromium?Hexavalentch

Hexavalent chromium (chromium(VI), Cr(VI), chromium 6) is chromium in any chemical compound that contains the element in the +6 oxidation state (thus hexavalent). Virtually all chromium ore is processed via hexavalent chromium, specifically the salt sodium dichromate.HexavalentchromiumFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopediaJumptonavigationJumptosearchAnexampleofachromium(VI)compound:chromiumtrioxideHexavalentchromium(chromium(VI),Cr(VI),chromium6)ischromiuminanychemicalcompoundthatcontainstheelementinthe+6oxidationstate(thushexavalent).Virtuallyallchromiumoreisprocessedviahexavalentchromium,specificallythesaltsodiumdichromate.Hexavalentchromiumiskeytoallmaterialsmadefromchromium.Approximately136,000tonnesofhexavalentchromiumwereproducedin1985.[1]Additionalhexavalentchromiumcompoundsincludechromiumtrioxideandvarioussaltsofchromateanddichromate,amongothers.Hexavalentchromiumisusedintextiledyes,woodpreservation,anti-corrosionproducts,chromateconversioncoatings,andavarietyofnicheuses.Industrialusesofhexavalentchromiumcompoundsincludechromatepigmentsindyes,paints,inks,andplastics;chromatesaddedasanticorrosiveagentstopaints,primers,andothersurfacecoatings;andchromicacidelectroplatedontometalpartstoprovideadecorativeorprotectivecoating.Hexavalentchromiumcanbeformedwhenperforming"hotwork"suchasweldingonstainlesssteelormeltingchromiummetal.Inthesesituationsthechromiumisnotoriginallyhexavalent,butthehightemperaturesinvolvedintheprocessresultinoxidationthatconvertsthechromiumtoahexavalentstate.[2]Hexavalentchromiumcanalsobefoundindrinkingwaterandpublicwatersystems.[3][4]Allhexavalentchromiumcompoundsaretoxic(duetotheiroxidizingpower)aswellascarcinogenic(IARCGroup1),especiallyifairborneandinhaledwheretheycauselungcancer.Positiveassociationshavealsobeenobservedbetweenexposuretochromium(VI)compoundsandcancerofthenoseandnasalsinuses.[5]Workersinmanyoccupationsareexposedtohexavalentchromium.Problematicexposureisknowntooccuramongworkerswhohandlechromate-containingproductsandthosewhogrinda

Industries where hexavalent chromium is found. Hex chrome is the most toxic form of the naturally occurring element chromium. Although trivalent chromium (Cr III) ...SkiptomaincontentSkiptoprimarysidebarSkiptofooterWhentheToxicSubstancesControlAct(TSCA)was enactedin1976,itwasintendedtoensurethatchemicalsaresafethroughouttheirlifecycle,frommanufacturetouseanddisposal.ButweaknessesinthelawlefttheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)unabletoactonknownhealthdangers.Otherlaws,suchasthosesettingair,water,andworkplacesafetystandards,donotadequatelyregulateexposuretomostchemicals,nordotheyaddressthehazardsachemicalmayposeoveritsentirelifecycle.Newlegislationisneededtorapidlyreduceexposuretotoxicchemicals,suchashexavalentchromium(hexchrome)*,whichisusedinindustriessuchasmetalprocessing,tanneries,andstainlesssteelweldingwhereworkersareexposedtocontaminatedair.Alegacypollutant,cancer-causinghexchromecanalsocontaminatesoilandwatersuppliesfordecades.SaferChemicalsHealthyFamiliesurgestheEPAtouseitsauthorityunderanupdatedTSCAtoprotectpeopleandtheenvironmentfromtoxicchemicalslikehexavalentchromium.ErinBrockovichcampaignedagainstthedevastatinghealtheffectsofhexchromeTheaward-winningfilm,ErinBrockovich,wasbasedonthetruestoryofthecommunityofHinkley,California,wherepeoplesufferedillnessesrelatedtochromiumcontaminationoftheirdrinkingwater.Alegacypollutantthatcancontaminatesoilandwatersuppliesfordecades,hexavalentchromium(hexchrome)isawidespreadcontaminantathazardouswastesitesandindrinkingwater.TheNationalInstituteofHealth’sNationalToxicologyProgram(NTP),alongwiththeInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC)andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),allhavedeterminedthatinhalinghexavalentchromiumcompoundscausescancersoftheupperairways,lung,andstomach.NTPandCalifornia’sEPAagreethatthereissufficientconcernthatingestionofhexchrome-contaminatedwaterisalsoassociatedwithcancer.Despiteextensiveevidencethathexchromeisdangerous,regulatoryactionhasbeeninsufficientWhilefederalandstatestandardsexis

Hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), in contrast, is toxic. The chemical is used in a number of industrial processes as well as for leather tanning, chromium plating, ...HomeDemystifiedHealth&MedicineShare:FacebookTwitterHomeDemystifiedHealth&MedicineWhatisHexavalentChromium(orChromium-6)?Share:FacebookTwitterWRITTENBYJohnP.RaffertyJohnP.RaffertywritesaboutEarthprocessesandtheenvironment.HeservescurrentlyastheeditorofEarthandlifesciences,coveringclimatology,geology,zoology,andothertopicsthatrelateto...UniversalPicturesManypeopleknowhexavalentchromiumasasilentantagonistinthebiopicErinBrockovich(2000),whichstarredAmericanactressJuliaRobertsasalegalassistanttakingonacompanyaccusedofpollutingthewaterofruralHinkley,California,whichresultedinelevatedratesofcanceranddeathamongthetown’sresidents.Butwhatishexavalentchromium,andwhatisitusedfor?Industryaddschromium(Cr)toironandnickeltomakemetalalloysespeciallycharacterizedbytheirhighresistancetocorrosionandoxidation.Usedinsmallamounts,chromiumhardenssteel.Stainlesssteelsarealloysofchromiumandironinwhichthechromiumcontentvariesfrom10to26percent.Chromiumalloysareusedtomakeproductssuchasoiltubing,automobiletrim,andcutlery.Chromiteisusedasarefractory(asubstancethatisresistanttoheat)andasarawmaterialfortheproductionofchromiumchemicals.Themostcommonformsofchromiumare+2,+3,and+6oxidationstates.Inverysmallamounts,trivalentchromium(Cr+3)isusefulinanimalmetabolism,helpingtoregulateglucoselevelsandincreasetheeffectivenessofinsulininthebody. Thisformofchromiumappearsinanumberoffoods,includingbroccoli,potatoes,andgarlic.TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)notesthat,onaverage,peopletakeinlessthan0.2to0.4microgramfromtheair,lessthan2microgramsfromthewater,andlessthan60microgramsfromfoodeachday. Hexavalentchromium(Cr+6),incontrast,istoxic.Thechemicalisusedinanumberofindustrialprocessesaswellasforleathertanning,chromiumplating,coloredglassmakingandinpaintpigmentsandinksthatcolorplasticsandfabricsandserveascorrosion-resistantcoatings.Itishazardousw

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds are a large group of chemicals with varying properties, uses, and workplace exposures. Hexavalent chromium is ...SkipdirectlytositecontentSkipdirectlytopageoptionsSkipdirectlytoA-ZlinkTheNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH)SectionNavigationCDCHomeFacebookTwitterLinkedInSyndicateHexavalentChromiumMinusRelatedPagesOnThisPageOverviewNIOSHChemicalResourcesRelatedNIOSHResourcesSelectedPublicationsRelatedResourcesInternationalResourcesOverviewCASNo.18540-29-9Hexavalentchromium(Cr(VI))compoundsarealargegroupofchemicalswithvaryingproperties,uses,andworkplaceexposures.Hexavalentchromiumisharmfultotheeyes,skin,andrespiratorysystem.NIOSHconsidersallCr(VI)compoundstobeoccupationalcarcinogens.Workersmaybeharmedfromexposuretohexavalentchromium.Thelevelofexposuredependsuponthedose,duration,andworkbeingdone.Hexavalentchromiumisusedinmanyindustries.It’susedinelectroplating,welding,andchromatepainting.Someexamplesofworkersatriskofbeingexposedtohexavalentchromiumincludethefollowing:WeldersworkingwithcarbonandstainlesssteelweldingSteelmillworkersinironandsteelfoundriesWorkerswhoworkwithornearwetcementEmployeesworkingintheelectroplating,woodpreservation,ortextiledyeingindustriesNIOSH recommendsthatemployersuseHierarchyofControls topreventinjuries.Ifyouworkinanindustrythatuseshexavalentchromium,pleasereadchemicallabelsandtheaccompanyingSafetyDataSheetforhazardinformation.VisitNIOSH’spageonManagingChemicalSafetyintheWorkplace tolearnmoreaboutcontrollingchemicalworkplaceexposures.Thefollowingresourcesprovideinformationaboutoccupationalexposuretohexavalentchromium.Usefulsearchtermsforhexavalentchromiuminclude“chromate”and“chromesix.”NIOSHChemicalResourcesNIOSHPocketGuidetoChemicalHazardsTheNIOSHPocketGuidetoChemicalHazards(NPG)helpsworkers,employers,andoccupationalhealthprofessionalsrecognizeandcontrolworkplacechemicalhazards.ManualofAnalyticalMethodsTheNIOSHManualofAnalyticalMethods(NMAM)isacollectionofmethodsforsamplingandanalysisof

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is one of the valence states (+6) of the element chromium. It is usually produced by an industrial process. Cr(VI) is known to cause ...SkiptomaincontentSafetyandHealthTopicsHexavalentChromiumHexavalentChromiumHexavalentChromiumMenuWorkers'RightsHexavalentChromiumHomeStandardsEnforcementHealthEffectsExposureandControlsAdditionalResourcesWorkers'RightsOverviewHighlightsControllingExposuretoHexavalentChromiuminAerospaceandAirTransportPainting.OSHAFactSheet(Publication3650),(2013).HexavalentChromiumHazardsinBridgePainting.OSHAFactSheet(Publication3649),(2013).ControllingHexavalentChromiumExposuresduringElectroplating.OSHAFactSheet(Publication3648),(2013).ControllingHazardousFumeandGasesduringWelding.OSHAFactSheet(Publication3647),(2013).SmallEntityComplianceGuidefortheHexavalentChromiumStandards.OSHAFactSheet,(Publication3320),(2006).RelatedSafetyandHealthTopicsPagesChromiumToxicMetalsHexavalentchromium[Cr(VI)]isoneofthevalencestates(+6)oftheelementchromium.Itisusuallyproducedbyanindustrialprocess.Cr(VI)isknowntocausecancer.Inaddition,ittargetstherespiratorysystem,kidneys,liver,skinandeyes.Chromiummetalisaddedtoalloysteeltoincreasehardenabilityandcorrosionresistance.AmajorsourceofworkerexposuretoCr(VI)occursduring"hotwork"suchasweldingonstainlesssteelandotheralloysteelscontainingchromiummetal.Cr(VI)compoundsmaybeusedaspigmentsindyes,paints,inks,andplastics.Italsomaybeusedasananticorrosiveagentaddedtopaints,primers,andothersurfacecoatings.TheCr(VI)compoundchromicacidisusedtoelectroplatechromiumontometalpartstoprovideadecorativeorprotectivecoating.Whoisexposedtohexavalentchromium?ManyworkersinavarietyofoccupationsarepotentiallyexposedtoCr(VI)intheUnitedStates.Workplaceexposuresoccurmainlyinthefollowingareas:Weldingandothertypesof"hotwork"onstainlesssteelandothermetalsthatcontainchromiumUseofpigments,spraypaintsandcoatingsOperatingchromeplatingbathsWhereisexposuretohexavalentchromiumoccurring?Industrialprocessesthatinvolvechromiumcanresultinwo