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Dangers

in this section: Dangers | Hexavalent Chromium | Am I Exposed to Chromium? | Your Health | Your Children | Toxicity Summary | Uses of Chromium | History | Environment

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Chromium Dangers

If you've been hurt by chromium side effects or hexavalent chromium contamination, please fill out this simple form to contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free case evaluation.

Chromium is a grey colored metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. Chromium is odorless, tasteless and malleable. Chromium has many uses. In metallurgy, chromium is used for corrosion resistance and a shiny finish. Chromium is also used as an alloy constituent e.g., in stainless steel in cutlery and in chrome plating.

Chromium is used in dyes and paints:

Chromium III oxide is a metal polish known as green rouge.
Chromium salts color glass an emerald green.
Chromium gives ruby its red color, and therefore is used in making synthetic rubies.
Chromium also makes a brilliant yellow for painting

Chromium is also used as a catalyst:

Chromite is used to make molds for the firing of bricks.
Chromium salts are used in the tanning of leather.
Potassium dichromate is a chemical reagent, used in cleaning lab glassware and as a titrating agent. It is also used as a mordant (i.e., a fixing agent) for dyes in textiles.

Chromium IV oxide is used to make magnetic tape.
Chromium is used in well drilling muds as an anti-corrosive.
Chromium is used in medicine as a dietary supplement or slimming aid, usually as chromium III chloride or chromium III picolinate.
Chromium hexacarbonyl is used as a gasoline additive.
Chromium boride is used as a high-temperature electrical conductor.
Chromium III sulfate is used as a green pigment in paints, ceramics, varnishes and inks as well as in chrome plating

Chromium metal and chromium III compounds are not usually considered to pose health risks, but chromium VI compounds can be toxic if ingested orally. The lethal dose of toxic chromium VI compounds is about a half teaspoon of the substance. Most chromium VI compounds cause irritation to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Chronic exposure to chromium VI compounds can cause permanent eye damage. Chromium VI is a known human carcinogen.

In 1958, the World Health Organization suggested a maximum allowable concentration of 0.05 mg/liter in drinking water for chromium VI, based on health issues. This suggestion has been reviewed many times and the value has not been revised in the meantime.

As chromium compounds were used in dyes, paints and the tanning of leather, these compounds are often found in soil and groundwater at (abandoned) industrial sites that now require environmental cleanup.



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see also:

History Discover Chromium and its history
Chromium: The History of the Potentially Dangerous Metal

Hexavalent Chromium Chromium Attorney- Hexavalent Chromium: a deadly cancer causing toxin
Chromium Attorney- Hexavalent Chromium, Deadly Cancerous Toxin

Learn More Chromium Exposure - Chromium and the effects of exposure - Learn More
Chromium Exposure - The EPA identifies the worst hazardous waste sites

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