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