• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.292-300
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• 1996

Hexavalent chromium($Cr^{+6}$) compounds are considered to be particularly hazardous, primarily because of the associated risk of allergic reaction and cancer. The analytic method of hexavalent chromium such as the s-diphenylcarba-zide(DPC) method and all ether previously used methods are often made uncertain due to significant interferences from organic components. This report can provide a technique for the more rapid and simple determination of total hexavalent chromium. than other currently using methods. The s-diphenylcarbazide method proposed by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has low recovery rate(15.67 - 48.20%) due to interference, iron chloride and nickel chloride. A microwave oven technique has high recovery rate(about 70%) of insoluble hexavalent chromium. For the difference of ionic charges of $Cr^{+3}$-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA) chelate and $CrO_4{^{-2}}$, we could detect them simultaneously by ion exchanged high performance liquid chromatography. The confirmation of $Cr^{+3}$ and $Cr^{+6}$ were checked by fraction collector and flameless atomic absorption spectrometer. We observed that the small amount of hexavalent chromium is converted to trivalent chromium due to enhancement of chromium reduction by $Fe^{+3}$ or $Ni^{+2}$. As a result of this study, on the analysis of insoluble hexavalent chromium with microwave oven was used for, it may be better and more precise analysis after pretreatment by 2% NaOH-3% $Na_2CO_3$ and then analysis UV-spectrophotometer. It should be done for various studies on insoluble hexavalent chromium on the basis work environmental monitoring so called welding, painting etc.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to propose a sequential procedure for the simultaneous analysis of soluble and insoluble metal compounds. Methods: Methods for sampling and analyzing metal compounds such as ISO standards, NIOSH methods, HSE methods, and OSHA methods were reviewed. Results: Some metals have different OELs depending on the solubility of the compound. Therefore, we should take into account these characteristics and perform an exposure assessment. Soluble metal compounds are first extracted from the filter, and then the filter is digested by acids to analyze residual insoluble components. The extraction of soluble compounds can be completed by agitation for about 60 minutes with a leach solution (water) in a water bath at 37℃. For the analysis of insoluble compounds, the sample filter and the filtration filter remaining after the extraction of the soluble compounds are analyzed. This allows simultaneous determination of soluble and insoluble metal compounds. For hexavalent chromium compounds, soluble hexavalent chromium can first be extracted from the filter by using sulfate buffer. The insoluble hexavalent chromium remaining in the filter can then be extracted using carbonate buffer. Conclusion: Workers are often exposed to many hazardous substances with different exposure limits at industrial sites. The OELs for compounds of the same metal can be set differently depending on solubility. This study can help evaluate a worker's exposure to metal compounds by suggesting methods for the simultaneous determination of soluble and insoluble metal compounds.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.547-554
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• 2012

Chromium is generated from several industrial processes. It occurs in different oxidation states, but Cr(III) and Cr(VI) are the most common ones. Cr(VI) is a toxic, soluble environmental contaminant. Some bacteria are able to reduce hexavalent chromium to the insoluble and less toxic Cr(III), and thus chromate bioremediation is of considerable interest. An indigenous chromium-reducing bacterial strain, Rb-2, isolated from a tannery water sample, was identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium, on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The influence of factors like temperature of incubation, initial concentration of Cr, mobility of bacteria, and different carbon sources were studied to test the ability of the bacterium to reduce Cr(VI) under variable environmental conditions. The ability of the bacterial strain to reduce hexavalent chromium in artificial and industrial sewage water was evaluated. It was observed that the mechanism of resistance to metal was not due to the change in the permeability barrier of the cell membrane, and the enzyme activity was found to be inductive. Intracellular reduction of Cr(VI) was proven by reductase assay using cell-free extract. Scanning electron microscopy revealed chromium precipitates on bacterial cell surfaces, and transmission electron microscopy showed the outer as well as inner distribution of Cr(VI). This bacterial strain can be useful for Cr(VI) detoxification under a wide range of environmental conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2008

We quantified the human carcinogenic metals (chromium, nickel) in fumes from flux cored arc welding using stainless steel (FCAW/SS) wires. Zinc and calcium were also quantified because of their possibility of zinc chromate and calcium chromate, respectively. Welding was performed in an American Welding Society standard fume collection chamber. Insoluble and soluble forms of metals were analyzed by ISO 15202 method. Total chromium (insoluble+soluble) content and total nickel content were lower in FCAW/SS fumes (4.65%, 1.05%, respectively)than in stainless steel content (ca. 18%, 8%,respectively). Insoluble fraction in total chromium was 79.8 (range 64.5~95.1)% and 94.4(range 90.1~98.1)% in total nickel. Atomic emission spectroscopy used in this study does not differentiate the chromium valence status while ACGIH defines its carcinogenicity according to the valence status. From this study and previous study, we estimated the hexavalent chromium content in FCAW/SS was 0.2~1.1% and about 85% of them was soluble. The content of zinc and calcium, which can be existed as chromate forms, was low (0.02 %, 0.04% respectively) in FCAW/SS. Exposure assessment for zinc chromate and calcium chromate is possible because chromium in both compounds is used as a surrogate even though it is not well known that what compounds of zinc and calcium are formed in welding fume.

• Clean Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2001

In this study, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) plating wastewater in strong acidic condition was treated by reduction and alkalization. Ferrous sulfate ($FeSO_4$), known to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) rapidly at acidic pH, was used as a reductant of Cr(VI). The optimum reduction condition of Cr(VI) was observed at iron to chromium dose ratio of 3:1 by mole concentration. The precipitation of Cr(III) as $Cr(OH)_3$, was achieved by the pH adjustment in the limestone aeration bed. The precipitates were removed less than the upper limit of chromium for effluent at pH over 5.0. The continuous removal of Cr(VI) was performed using the process consisting of reduction vessel, limestone aeration bed, and sedimentation tank coupled with metal screen membrane. As pH was maintained around 5.0 in the limestone aeration bed, insoluble chromic hydroxide flocs was formed continuously. Most chromic hydroxide flocs were filtered by the metal screen membrane with 1450 mesh size, and the treated water to meet the upper limits of chromium for effluent (Cr Conc. 0.25~0.90 mg/l) was obtained in 30 minutes. Periodic backwashing decreased the fouling on the membrane rapidly.