Dermal exposure to chromium in the grinding of stainless and acid-proof steel.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to measure the dermal exposure levels of chromium dust during grinding of stainless and acid-proof steel parts.


METHODS
The potential dermal exposure of the body was measured with a patch sampling method and the actual exposure of hands with a hand-wash method. Simultaneously, personal air samples were also collected.


RESULTS
The range of body and hand exposure to chromium dust was 4.04-3406 and 0.72-79.7 mg/h, respectively. Dust was distributed quite evenly to different body parts.


CONCLUSIONS
Workers using hand-held grinding tools were more exposed than those using band grinders. It was judged that the sampling methods applied in this study gave a realistic estimation of exposure levels, because of the uniform distribution of contamination during grinding. Respiratory exposure was high compared to Finnish occupational exposure limit values.
Mäkinen
Milja
M
Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 93, FIN-70701 Kuopio, Finland. milja.makinen@ttl.fi
Linnainmaa
Markku
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis*; D004391:Dust; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008669:Metallurgy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin; D013232:Steel; D014691:Ventilation
D004391:Dust; D002857:Chromium; D013232:Steel