It is usually considered that almost all the chromium in food is present as chromium (III) 1. In mammals, chromium (III) is an essential trace element involved in lipid and glucose metabolism 1. There is not sufficient evidence to suggest that chromium (III) compounds are reproductive or developmental toxicants. Potassium dichromate may be toxic to the reproductive system and the developing foetus. Studies have not shown chromium (III) to be carcinogenic.Ĭhromium (VI) has been classified as a Group 1 known human carcinogen by the inhalation route of exposure and chromium metal and chromium (III) compounds are not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3) due to inadequate evidence in humans. The mechanism of genotoxicity has been proposed to be a result of sequential reduction of chromium (VI) within the cells to chromium (III) and the binding of chromium (III) to macromolecules, including DNA.Ĭhromium (III) is not considered to be mutagenic in most cellular systems and there is no firm evidence that in vivo it is mutagenic to humans or experimental animals. Chronic exposure to chromium (VI) compounds can also cause allergic responses (for example, asthma and allergic dermatitis) in sensitized individuals.Ĭhronic exposure to chromium (III) resulted in weight loss, anaemia, liver dysfunction and renal failureĬhromium (VI) compounds are positive in the majority of in-vitro mutagenicity tests reported and may cause chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in humans. Occupational exposure to some inhaled chromium (VI) mists may cause nasal septal ulceration and perforation, respiratory irritation and inflammation, dyspnoea, cyanosis and gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, haematological effects and lung cancer. Studies of the effects of chronic occupational exposure to chromium compounds have proven difficult due to co-exposures to other toxic substances in the relevant working environments. The respiratory tract is the primary target for inhaled chromium following acute exposure, although effects on the kidney, gastrointestinal tract and liver have also been reported.Īcute ingestion of high doses of chromium (VI) compounds, the exact quantity of which is not usually known, results in acute, potentially fatal, effects in the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, and neurological systems.ĭue to the corrosive nature of some chromium (VI) compounds, dermal exposure can lead to dermal ulcers and at high doses, systemic toxicity leading to effects on the renal, haematological and cardiovascular system and death. In addition, chromium (VI) is the more readily absorbed by both inhalation and oral routes. The toxicity of chromium depends on the oxidation state, chromium (VI) being more toxic than the trivalent form chromium (III). Potassium dichromate may be toxic to the reproductive system and the developing foetus – there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that chromium (III) compounds are reproductive or developmental toxicants Ingestion of large amounts of chromium (VI) can lead to severe respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal damage and potentially deathĬhromium (VI) may cause occupational asthma in sensitised individualsĬhronic inhalation of chromium (III) salts causes a range of inflammatory changes in the respiratory tractĬhronic inhalation of high levels of chromium (VI) (in poorly controlled occupational settings) may cause nasal septum ulceration and perforation, respiratory irritation, lung cancer and possible renal effectsĭermal contact in chromium-sensitised individuals can lead to allergic dermatitis and chronic dermal exposure can result in deeply penetrating skin ulcers if left untreatedĬhromium (VI) compounds have mutagenic potentialĬhromium (VI) compounds are carcinogenic to humans but chromium (III) compounds are not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans The respiratory tract is the primary target organ for inhaled chromium

Insoluble inhaled chromium particles can remain in the lung for a long timeĪbsorbed chromium is distributed to all tissues of the body.Ĭhromium (VI) is unstable in the body, and is rapidly reduced to chromium (V), chromium (IV) and ultimately to stable chromium (III) by endogenous reducing agentsĪbsorbed chromium is excreted primarily in the urine and to a lesser extent in faeces Uptake of chromium depends on the valency (III or VI) and solubility of the chromium-containing compoundĪbout 0.5% to 1% of chromium (III) present in the normal diet is adsorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, while chromium (VI) is more readily absorbed by both inhalation and oral routes

Sodium chromium oxide