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