[Occupational exposure to chromium(VI) compounds].
This article discusses the effect of chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) on human health under conditions of acute and chronic exposure in the workplace. Chromium(VI) compounds as carcinogens and/or mutagens pose a direct danger to people exposed to them. If carcinogens cannot be eliminated from the work and living environments, their exposure should be reduced to a minimum. In the European Union the proposed binding occupational exposure limit value (BOELV) for chromium(VI) of 0.025 mg/m³ is still associated with high cancer risk. Based on the Scientific Commitee of Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL) document chromium(VI) concentrations at 0.025 mg/m³ increases the risk of lung cancer in 2-14 cases per 1000 exposed workers. Exposure to chromium(VI) compounds expressed in Cr(VI) of 0.01 mg Cr(VI)/m3; is responsible for the increased number of lung cancer cases in 1-6 per 1000 people employed in this condition for the whole period of professional activity.
Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy / Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Warszawa, Poland (Zakład Zagrożeń Chemicznych, Pyłowych i Biologicznych, Pracownia Toksykologii / Department of Chemical Hazards, Aerosol and Biological Hazards, Laboratory of Toxicology). josko@ciop.pl.
Jolanta
J
Skowroń
Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera / Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Zakład Bezpieczeństwa Chemicznego / Department of Chemical Safety). konieczk@imp.lodz.pl.
Katarzyna
K
Konieczko
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion
carcinogen; chromium(VI) compounds; occupational exposure; occupational exposure level; risk assessment