Occupational Exposure to Chromium
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Chromium
Chromium is a gray, hard metal valued for its high corrosion resistance and hardness. It is most often used in stainless steel and chrome plating.
OSHA's new Chromium Safety and Health Topics provides resources to educate employers and workers about the health risks of various forms of chromium.
Occupations that may involve exposure to chromium include painters, abrasive blasting welders, battery, dye and candle makers and cement workers. Chromium exposure can cause asthma, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, respiratory irritation, pulmonary congestion and edema, upper abdominal pain, nose irritation and damage, skin irritation, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth. Chromium exposure can also cause kidney damage, liver damage and respiratory cancer. OSHA's chromium Web page contains a link to the updated OSHA page on hexavalent chromium, as well as fact sheets on controlling exposures to chromium and OSHA requirements for protecting workers from chromium exposures in general industry, shipyards and construction.