Environmental Pollutants
Other Contaminants Chromium VI Chromium Research Center News & Warnings
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7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
International, national, and state regulations and guidelines pertinent to human exposure to chromium are
summarized in Table 7-1.
Chromium disposal is regulated by the Clean Water Act Effluent Guidelines for the following industrial
point sources: textiles, electroplating, organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, petroleum refining, iron
and steel manufacturing, nonferrous metal manufacturing, steam electric, ferroalloy, leather tanning and
finishing, asbestos, rubber, timber products processing, metal finishing, mineral mining, paving and
roofing, paint formulating, ink formulating, gum and wood, carbon black, battery manufacturing, coil
coating, porcelain enameling, aluminum forming, copper forming, electrical and electronic components,
and nonferrous metals forming (EPA 1998b).
An MRL of 0.000005 mg chromium(VI)/m3 has been derived for intermediate-duration inhalation
exposure to chromium(VI) as chromium trioxide mist and other dissolved hexavalent chromium aerosols
and mists. The MRL is based on a LOAEL of 0.002 mg chromium(VI)/m3 for upper respiratory effects in
humans in the occupational exposure study by Lindberg and Hedenstierna (1983) which spanned both
intermediate and chronic durations.
In the 1998 Draft for Public Comment, an MRL of 0.0001 mg chromium(VI)/m3 had been derived for
both intermediate and chronic exposures as chromium trioxide mist and other dissolved hexavalent
chromium aerosols and mists. This MRL was also based on the study Lindberg and Hedenstierna (1983),
but an exposure level of 0.001 mg chromium(VI)/m3 had been considered a NOAEL, and there had been
no adjustment from intermittent to continuous exposure. Further evaluation of this study indicated that a
NOAEL could not be clearly defined; therefore, the LOAEL of 0.002 mg chromium(VI)/m3 was selected
and adjusted for continuous exposure for the concern that the nasal lesions could accumulate at a greater
rate than the repair mechanisms. The MRL of 0.000005 mg/m3 no longer applies for chronic exposure
because concern that carcinogenicity associated with chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium
compounds takes precedence.
An MRL of 0.001 mg chromium(VI)/m3 has been derived for intermediate-duration inhalation exposure
to chromium(VI) as particulate hexavalent chromium compounds. The MRL is based on a benchmark
concentration of 0.016 mg chromium(VI)/m3 for increases in lactate dehydrogenase activity in
bronchiolavage fluid from rats in the study by Glaser et al. (1990).
CHROMIUM 328
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
In the 1998 Draft for Public Comment, an MRL of 0.0005 mg chromium(VI)/m
3 had been derived forintermediate-duration inhalation exposure to chromium(VI) as particulate hexavalent chromium
compounds, based on a LOAEL of 0.025 mg chromium(VI)/m
3 in the study by Glaser et al. (1985).However, ATSDR evaluated the determination of the benchmark concentration performed by Malsch et al.
(1994) and found it to be a more appropriate basis for the MRL.
A chronic oral reference dose (RfD) of 0.003 mg chromium(VI)/kg/day has been derived and verified by
EPA for soluble salts of chromium(VI) (e.g., potassium chromate, sodium chromate, potassium
dichromate, and sodium dichromate) (IRIS 2000b). The RfD is based on a NOAEL for systemic effects in
rats exposed to 2.5 mg chromium(VI)/kg/day as potassium chromate in the drinking water for 1 year in the
study by MacKenzie et al. (1958).
A chronic inhalation RfC of 0.008 µg chromium(VI)/m
3 has been derived and verified by EPA for chromicacid mists and dissolved chromium(VI) aerosols (IRIS 2000b). The RfC is based on a LOAEL for nasal
septum atrophy in workers exposed to 0.002 mg chromium(VI)/m
3 (Lindberg and Hedenstierna 1983).A chronic inhalation RfC of 0.0001 mg chromium(VI)/m
3 has been derived and verified by EPA forchromium(VI) particulates (IRIS 2000b). The RfC is based on a benchmark concentration of 0.016 mg
chromium(VI)/m
3 derived from data for lactate dehydrogenase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid inrats exposed to sodium dichromate (Glaser et al. 1990).
A chronic oral RfD of 1.5 mg chromium(III)/kg/day has been derived and verified by EPA for insoluble
salts of chromium(III) (e.g., chromium oxide and chromium sulfate) (IRIS 2000a). The RfD is based on a
NOAEL for systemic effects in rats fed 1,800 mg chromium(III)/kg/day for 5 days/week for 600 feedings
(840 total days) in the study by Ivankovic and Preussmann (1975). EPA has determined that the data are
inadequate for the development of an RfC for chromium(III) due to the lack of relevant toxicity study
addressing the respiratory effects of chromium(III) (IRIS 2000a).
The Committee on Dietary Allowances, Food and Nutrition of the National Research Council has
recommended an estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake of 50–200 µg/day for adults based on
the absence of chromium-deficiency signs in the major part of the U.S. population consuming an average
of 50 µg chromium/day (NRC 1989). ATSDR has adopted the upper range of the estimated safe and
adequate daily dietary intake of 200 µg/day as provisional guidance for oral exposure to chromium(VI)
and chromium(III).
CHROMIUM 329
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium
Agency Description Information Reference
INTERNATIONAL
Guidelines:
IARC Cancer classification
Chromium(0)
Chromium(III)
Chromium(VI)
Group 3
aGroup 3
aGroup 1
bIARC 1990
WHO European standards for
drinking water—chromium(VI)
0.05 µg/L WHO 1970, 1988
NATIONAL
Regulations and
Guidelines:
a. Air:
ACGIH TLV-TWA—Chromium, metal
and inorganic compounds as
Cr
Metal and chromium(III)
compounds
Water soluble chromium(VI)
compounds
Insoluble chromium(VI)
compounds
0.5 mg/m
30.05 mg/m
30.01 mg/m
3ACGIH 1999
EPA Chromium(III)
RfC Not available
IRIS 2000a
Chromium(VI)
Carcinogenic risk from
inhalation exposure
Chromic acid mists and
dissolved chromium(VI)
aerosols
RfC
Chromium(VI) particulates
RfC
1.2x10
-2 µg/m38x10
-6 mg/m31x10
-4 mg/m3IRIS 2000b
NIOSH REL 8-hour TWA
Chromium metal 0.5 mg/m
3 NIOSH 1999aChromium(II) 0.5 mg/m
3 NIOSH 1999bChromium(III) 0.5 mg/m
3 NIOSH 1999cChromium(VI) carcinogenic 0.001 mg/m
3 NIOSH 1999dChromyl chloride
(carcinogenic)
0.001 mgCr(VI)/m
3 NIOSH 1999eCHROMIUM 330
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
NATIONAL
(cont.)OSHA 8-Hour time weighted average
Chromium(II)
Chromium(III)
Chromium metal and
insoluble salts
Chromic acid and
chromates
0.5 mg/m
30.5 mg/m
31.0 mg/m
31.0 mgCrO
3/10m329 CFR
1910.1000
OSHA 1999a
8-Hour time weighted average
for shipyard workers
Chromium(II)
Chromium(III)
Chromium metal and
insoluble salts
Chromic acid and
chromates
0.5 mg/m
30.5 mg/m
31.0 mg/m
30.1 mg CrO
3/m329 CFR
1915.1000
OSHA 1999b
8-Hour time weighted average
for construction workers
Chromium(II)
Chromium(III)
Chromium metal and
insoluble salts
Chromic acid and
chromates
0.5 mg/m
30.5 mg/m
31.0 mg/m
30.1 mg CrO
3/m329 CFR 1926.55
OSHA 1999c
b. Water:
EPA MCL—Chromium 0.1 mg/L 40 CFR 141.62
EPA 1999f
MCLG—Chromium 0.1 mg/L 40 CFR 141.51
EPA 1999e
Maximum concentration for
groundwater
0.05 mg/L 40 CFR 264.94
EPA 1999b
Drinking water standards—
Chromium
0.1 ppm 40 CFR 141.32
EPA 1999h
Ambient water quality criteria
(water and fish consumption)
Chromium(III)
Chromium(VI)
170 mg/L
0.05 mg/L
EPA 1980, 1987b
CHROMIUM 331
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
NATIONAL
(cont.)EPA (
cont.) Water quality criteriaChromium(III)
Freshwater:
Saltwater:
Water and organism:
organism only:
Chromium(III)
Freshwater:
Saltwater:
Water and organism:
organism only:
Chromium(VI)
Freshwater:
Saltwater:
Water and organism:
organism only:
74 µg/L
No Value
Not determined
Not determined
11 µg/L
50 µg/L
Not determined
Not determined
11 µg/L
50 µg/L
Not determined
Not determined
EPA 1999i
Health Advisories for
Chromium(III+VI), total
10-kg child
1 day
10-days
Longer term
70-kg adult
Longer term
Lifetime
DWEL
c1.0 mg/L
1.0 mg/L
0.2 mg/L
0.8 mg/L
0.1 mg/L
0.2 mg/L
EPA 1996c
FDA Bottled water limit for
chromium
0.1 mg/L 21 CFR 165.110
FDA 1999a
c. Food:
FDA Reference daily intake for
vitamins and minerals—
chromium
120 µg 21 CFR 101.9
FDA 1999c
d. Other:
ACGIH Cancer classification
Metal and chromium(III)
compounds
Water soluble chromium(VI)
compounds
Insoluble chromium(VI)
compounds
A4
dA1
eA1
eACGIH 1999
CHROMIUM 332
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
NATIONAL
(cont.)Biological exposure indices—
Chromium (VI)
Total chromium in urine
Increase during shift
End of shift and week
10 µg/g creatinine
30 µg/g creatinine
ACGIH 1999
EPA Chromium(III)
RfD (oral)
RfC
Cancer classification
1.5 mg/kg/day
Not available
D-not classified
IRIS 2000a
Chromium(VI)
RfD (oral)
Oral cancer classification
Carcinogenic risk from
inhalation exposure
Inhalation cancer
classification
3x10
-3 mg/kg/dayD—not classified
1.2x10
-2 µg/m3A—known human
carcinogen
IRIS 2000b
Toxic chemical release
reporting—effective date
1/1/87 40 CFR 372.65
EPA 1999a
Reportable quantities of
hazardous substances
40 CFR 302.4
EPA 1999d
Chromium—designated
CERCLA hazardous
substance under sections
307(a) of the Clean Water
Act
5,000 pounds
Chromic
acetate—designated
CERCLA hazardous
substance under sections
311(b)(4) of the Clean
Water Act
1,000 pounds
Chromic sulfate—
designated CERCLA
hazardous substance under
sections 311(b)(4) of the
Clean Water Act
1,000 pounds
Chromic acid—designated
CERCLA hazardous
substance under sections
311(b)(4) of the Clean
Water Act
10 pounds
CHROMIUM 333
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
NATIONAL
(cont.)Calcium chromate—
designated CERCLA
hazardous substance under
sections 311(b)(4) of the
Clean Water Act and RCRA
section 3001
10 pounds
DHHS Carcinogen classification
chromium and certain
chromium(VI) compounds
(calcium chromate, chromium
trioxide, lead chromate,
strontium chromate, and zinc
chromate)
Known human
carcinogens
NTP 1989, 1991,
1992, 1998
STATE
Regulations and
Guidelines:
a. Air:
Idaho Chromium(VI)
Acceptable ambient
concentration for a
carcinogen
Chromium, chromium(I), and
chromium(III)
Acceptable concentration
occupational exposure level
8.3x10
-5 µg/m30.025 mg/m
30.5 mg/m
3ID Dept Health
Welfare 1999b
Kansas Concentration limits for
hazardous air emissions:
chromium and
chromium(III)
chromium(VI)
5 tons/year
0.002 tons/year
KS Dept. Health
Env 1998
Kentucky Significant emission level
Chromium metal,
chromium(II), and
chromium(III)
Calcium chromate, lead
chromate, lead chromate
oxide, and zinc chromate
chromium(VI)
1.276x10
-4pounds/hour1.276x10
-5 pounds/hour2.76x10
-6 pounds/hourKY Div Air Quality
1998
Louisiana Allowable emission rate
chromium(VI)
25 pounds/year LA Air Quality Div
1998
CHROMIUM 334
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
STATE
(cont.)Maine Ambient air quality standards
Total chromium
annual average
24-hour average
0.3 µg/m
30.05 µg/m
3ME Dept Env
Protection 1996
Massachusetts Allowable ambient level MA Div Air Quality
Control 1998
Chromic acid
annual average
24-hour average
1x10
-4 µg/m33x10
-3 µg/m3Chromium(metal)
annual average
24-hour average
0.68 µg/m
31.36 µg/m
3Chromium(VI)
annual average
24-hour average
1x10
-4 µg/m33x10
-3 µg/m3Calcium chromate
annual average
24-hour average
1x10
-4 µg/m33x10
-3 µg/m3New Hampshire Ambient air limit
Chromium
0.12 µg/m
3 NH Air ResourcesDiv 1998
New Jersey Unit risk factor—inhalation
Chromium(VI)
1.2x10
-2 µg/m3 NJ Air Management1998
New York Annual guideline
concentration
Chromium(VI)
Chromium(III)
Chromium oxide
Lead chromate
Lead chromate oxide
2x10
-2 µg/m30.1 µg/m
30.15 µg/m
31.2x10
-4 µg/m32.1x10
-4 µg/m3NY Div Air
Resources 1998
North Carolina Acceptable ambient
concentrations
Chromium(VI)—annual
average
Sodium chromate
Zinc chromate
8.3x10
-5 µg/m31.3x10
-2 pounds/day5.6x10
-3 pounds/yearNC Div Env
Management
1998
CHROMIUM 335
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
STATE
(cont.)North Dakota Ambient air quality
standards— 8-hour average
Chromium metal
Chromium(II) compounds
as Cr
Chromium(III) compounds
as Cr
Chromium(IV) water soluble
compounds
5x10
-4 mg/m35x10
-3 mg/m35x10
-3 mg/m35x10
-4 mg/m3ND Env Health
Sect 1998
Rhode Island Acceptable level—annual
average
Chromium and chromium
compounds
9x10
-5 µg/m3RI Dept Env
Management
1992
South Carolina Maximum allowable
concentration
Chromium(VI)
2.5 µg/m
3SC Bureau Air
Quality 1998
Vermont Ambient standards—annual
average
Chromium(VI)
Chromium
8.5x10
-5 µg/m30.12 µg/m
3VT Air Pollution
Control Div 1998
Washington Acceptable source impact
levels
Annual average
Chromium(VI)
24-hour average
Chromium(II), Cr
Chromium(III), Cr
Chromium(metal)
Lead chromate, Cr
8.3x10
-5 µg/m31.7 µg/m
31.7 µg/m
31.7 µg/m
34x10
-2 µg/m3WA Dept Ecology
1998
Wisconsin Acceptable emission levels
Chromium, chromium(II),
and chromium(III)
<25 feet
25 feet
0.04 pounds/hour
0.17 pounds/hour
WI Dept Natural
Resources 1997
Wisconsin Emission rates
Chromium(VI)
.017 lb/hour WI Bureau Air
?
anagement1998
b. Water:
Alabama Drinking water quality
standards—Chromium
50 µg/L FSTRAC 1995
CHROMIUM 336
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
STATE
(cont.)Aquatic life criteria—
Chromium(VI):
Freshwater acute
Freshwater chronic
Marine acute
Marine chronic
16 µg/L
11 µg/L
1,100 µg/L
50 µg/L
AL Dept Env
Management
1998
Alaska Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Alaska Maximum contaminant level 0.1 mg/L AK Dept
Environmental
Conserv 1999
Arizona Drinking water quality—
Chromium
standards
guideline
50 µg/L
120 µg/L
FSTRAC 1995
Arizona Human health based guidance
levels (HBGLs) for ingestion of
contaminents in drinking water
Chromium, total
Oral HBGL
MCL
Chromium(III)
Oral HBGL
MCL
Chromium(VI)
Oral HBGL
MCL
100 µg/L
100 µg/L
7000 µg/L
100 µg/L
35 µg/L
100 µg/L
AZ Dept Health
Services 1999
Colorado Human health based criteria
for groundwater
0.1 mg/L CO Dept Public
Health Env 1999
Connecticut Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Delaware Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Georgia Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Hawaii Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Health guidelines applicable to
all water— chromium(VI):
Freshwater
acute
chronic
Saltwater
acute
chronic
Fish consumption
16 µg/L
11 µg/L
1,100 µg/L
50 µg/L
NS
fHI Dept Health
1999a
CHROMIUM 337
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
STATE
(cont.)Hawaii
(cont.) MCL applicable to all publicwater systems—chromium
0.1 mg/L HI Dept Health
1999b
Idaho Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Groundwater quality 0.1 mg/L ID Dept Health
Welfare 1999a
Illinois Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Indiana Chromium(VI) 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Iowa Chromium(VI) 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Kansas Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Kentucky Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Maine Drinking water quality
guidelines—Chromium
100 µg/L FSTRAC 1995
Maryland Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Massachusetts Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Minnesota Drinking water quality
guidelines
Chromium
Chromium(III)
100 µg/L
20,000 µg/L
FSTRAC 1995
Mississippi Chromium(VI) 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Montana Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Missouri Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Nebraska Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
New Hampshire Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
New Jersey Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Groundwater quality
chromium, total
100 µg/L NJ Dept
Environmental
Protection 1993
New Mexico Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
New York Chromium(VI) 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
North Carolina Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
North Dakota Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Ohio Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Oklahoma Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
CHROMIUM 338
7. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
Table 7-1. Regulations and Guidelines Applicable to Chromium (
continued)Agency Description Information Reference
STATE
(cont.)Oklahoma Aquatic life criteria
acute
chronic
Not given
50.0 µg/L
OK Dept
Environmental
Quality 1997
Oregon Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Puerto Rico Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Rhode Island Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
South Carolina Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
South Dakota Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Maximum contaminant
levels— apply to community
and non-transient and noncommunity
water systems
0.1 mg/L SD Dept
Environmental
Natural
Resources 1998
Tennessee Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Texas Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Utah Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Vermont Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Virginia Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Washington Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
West Virginia Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
Wisconsin Chromium 0.05 mg/L FSTRAC 1990
c. Other:
California Cancer potency value
Chromium(VI)
0.42 (mg/kg/day)
-1 State of California1991
a
Group 3: Not classifiable as to carcinogenic potentialb
Group 1: Carcinogenic in humansc
DWEL: Drinking water equivalent level. A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, non-cancer healtheffects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from a drinking water source.
d
A4: Not classifiable as a human carcinogene
A1: Confirmed human carcinogenf
NS: no standard developed as yetACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; DHHS = Department of Health and Human
Services; EPA = Environmental Protection Agency; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; IARC = International
Agency for Research on Cancer; MCL = maximum contaminant level; MCLG = maximum contaminant level goal;
NIOSH = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health
Administration; PEL = permissible exposure limit; REL = recommended exposure limit; RfC = inhalation reference
concentration; RfD = reference dose; RQ = reportable quantity; TLV = threshold limit value; TWA = time weighted
average; WHO = World Health Organization
CHROMIUM 339
'see also:
Sec 4 - IMPORT/EXPORT
Toxicological Profile for Chromium - Agenct for Toxic SubstancesAgenct for Toxic Substances: Toxicological Profile for Chromium
Sec 6 - ANALYTICAL METHODS
Toxicological Profile for Chromium - Agenct for Toxic SubstancesAgenct for Toxic Substances: Toxicological Profile for Chromium
Complete Toxicological Profile for Chromium
Toxicological Profile for Chromium - Agenct for Toxic SubstancesAgenct for Toxic Substances: Toxicological Profile for Chromium
