Common Name: Chromium CAS Number: 7440-47-3 DOT Number: None Date: July 31, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Chromium can affect you when breathed in. * Chromium is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Chromium metal ore has been reported to cause lung allergy. * Chromium fumes can cause "metal fume fever," a flu like illness lasting about 24 hours with chills, aches, cough and fever. * Chromium particles can irritate the eyes. IDENTIFICATION Chromium is a steel gray, lustrous metal often found as a powder. It is used for greatly increasing resistance and durability of metals and for chrome plating of other metals. REASON FOR CITATION * It is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NTP, and IARC. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT and a MUTAGEN. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour work shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * Chromium is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * Chromium may form metal fumes which present different hazards than the substance itself. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Chromium is handled, used, or stored. * Wash thoroughly at the end of the work shift. * Wear protective work clothing. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Chromium to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ Metal, metal compounds and alloys are often used in "hot" operations in the workplace. These may include, but are not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, plating, cutting, and metallizing. At the high temperatures reached in these operations, metals often form metal fumes which have different health effects and exposure standards than the original metal or metal compound and require specialized controls. Your workplace can be evaluated for the presence of particular fumes which may be generated. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Chromium: * Chromium fumes can cause "metal fume fever," a flu like illness with metallic taste, fever, chills, and muscle aches lasting about 24 hours. * Chromium particles can irritate the eyes. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Chromium and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Chromium is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. It has been shown to cause lung and throat cancer. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer causing agent. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * There is no evidence that Chromium adversely affects reproduction. This is based on test results presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health from published studies. Other Long Term Effects * Chromium ore has been reported to cause lung allergy. Once allergy develops, even small future exposures may cause cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Lung function tests. These may be normal if person is not having an attack at the time of the test. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider urine Chromium levels. Persons without workplace exposure usually have levels below 15 micrograms per liter of urine. * Lung function tests. These may be normal if the person is not having an attack at the time of the test. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following control is recommended: * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Chromium VI #76 129. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Chromium. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Chromium at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Chromium is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Chromium. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Eye protection is included with the recommended respiratory protection. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Chromium DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 7440-47-3 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE DUST CANCER CAUSING AGENT POWDER MAY EXPLODE IN AIR ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Combustible Dust/Powder. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Powder may explode in air. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Chromium is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Chromium as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Chromium you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Chromium is handled, used, or stored. * Chromium must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE, and FLUORINE) since violent reactions occur. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Chromium is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap and water. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Other Names and Formulations: Chrome. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Chromium is a steel-gray lustrous metal used to make chrome-steel or stainless steel, and for chrome-plating of other metals. Chromium exists mainly in the 3+ (III) or 6+ (VI) oxidation states in natural bodies of water, and each form can be converted to the other form under appropriate environmental conditions. Chromium may enter the environment in effluents from metal plating industries or in municipal waste treatment plant discharges. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Chromium is more toxic in soft water than in hard water. Chromium (VI) has high acute toxicity to aquatic life, and chromium (III) has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of chromium to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Chromium (III) and chromium (VI) both have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of chromium to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Water solubility of chromium and its salts ranges from low to high. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Chromium is highly persistent in water, with a half-life of greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of chromium found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of chromium in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.