• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.497-501
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• 2007

The objective of the study is to determine the contents of total chromium, water-soluble chromium and hexavalent chromium in cements and concretes specimens taken from manufacturing or construction sites. Chromate is an allergen that is widespread in the environment and is richly contained in cements. Metals were extracted with microwave oven and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. Hexavalent chromium was analysed by ion chromatography. The concentrations of total chromium, water-soluble chromium and hexavalent chromium in cements were $36.02{\sim}108.01,\;15.95{\sim}89.01\;and\;26.77{\sim}89.61\;mg/kg$, respectively. The concentrations of hexavalent chromium in cements were higher than 2 mg/kg, a maximum value recommended in Northern European Countries. The concentrations of total chromium, water-soluble chromium and hexavalent chromium in concretes were $17.44{\sim}76.25,\;0.98{\sim}17.71\;and\;ND{\sim}24.13\;mg/kg$, respectively. Especially Hexavalent chromium was detected only from concrete specimens from construction sites. It is oxidized or reduced status by environmental condition or surrounding materials.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2000

The practice of welding stainless steel is known to produce various valance states of chromium. $CO_2$ flux cored arc welding on stainless was performed in fume collection chamber. Content of total chromium and hexavalent chromium in fumes, content of hexavalent chromium in total chromium, solubility of hexavalent chromium were investigated. Content of total chromium in fumes increases from 2~3% to 7~9% as a function of input energy, but hexavalent chromium, less than 1.2% in fumes, is not related to input energy. Hexavalent chromium in fumes exists as solubles up to 90%. Content of total chromium in flux cored arc welding fumes and solubility of hexavalent chromium are similar to shielded metal arc welding fumes, but content of hexavalent chromium is similar to metal inert gas welding fumes. These characteristics are relevant to flux of wires and $CO_2$ shielding gas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.166-178
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• 2024

Objectives: The 12 occupational exposure limits(OELs) for chromium and its compounds in Korea were set by applying the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). However, this is significantly different from the TLVs after the existing TLVs were integrated and withdrawn in 2018, so it is necessary to review the revision. Methods: Various documents related to chromium OELs were reviewed, including the ACGIH TLV Documentations for chromium and its compounds. A field survey was conducted targeting workplaces handling chromium and its compounds. Based on this, a revised OELs were proposed and a socio-economic evaluation was conducted. Results: The OELs for chromium compounds in Korea was first enacted in 2002, and in 2007, the OELs for chromium (hexavalent) compounds (insoluble) was lowered from 0.05 mg/m³ to 0.01 mg/m³. In 2008, the OELs for strontium chromate was newly established as 0.0005 mg/m³, and in 2018, the OELs for calcium chromate was newly established as 0.001 mg/m³. Total chromium and hexavalent chromium were measured for each of 6 samples at 2 welding sites, 4 plating sites, and 2 spray coating sites. When omparing the average of the results measured by ICP, a total chromium analysis method, and the analysis results by IC, a hexavalent chromium analysis method, only workplace 4 was the same, and total chromium was evaluated more, and total chromium was evaluated at 0.0004 to 0.0027 mg/m³. And hexavalent chromium was evaluated as non-detection ~ 0.0014 mg/m³. Amendment ①: The exposure standard for hexavalent chromium is not divided into water soluble, insoluble, chromium ore processing, and other hexavalent chromium compounds, and is integrated into 0.01 mg/m³, which is the level of chromium (hexavalent) compound (insoluble)., OELs for chromium (metal) and chromium (trivalent) compounds are integrated into chromium (trivalent) compounds, and the exposure level is maintained. Amendment ②: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.005 mg/m³, which is the OELs of OSHA, and there is a grace period of 4 years. Amendment ③: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.0002 mg/m³, which is the exposure standard of ACGIH, and there is a grace period of 5 years. Conclusions: Amendment ①: The change in the OELs is insignificant, so the cost required is small, and the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so there is no problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ②: In all scenarios except chromium 6(insoluble), the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so it is thought that there will be no major problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ③: Since the benefit/cost ratio is less than 1 in all scenarios, it is thought that the total social benefit that can be obtained when applying the amendment is not large.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate chromium in air and chromium concentrations in whole blood and urine of workers at chrome plating factories, and to determine the correlation between environmental and biological chromium levels. This study involved 29 workers as study group and 24 undergraduate students as control group. The geometric means(GM) of airborne hexavalent chromium and total chromium concentrations in the plating factories were 3.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ and 10.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. Hexavalent chromium levels in two of total 29 measurements exceeded the korean occupational exposure limit and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value(ACGIH-TLV) of 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. Only one sample for total chromium exceeded the Korea occupational exposure limits, the ACGIH-TLV, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limits(NIOSH-REL) of 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. The GM of chromium concentrations in blood and urine of workers exposed to chromium were 8.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 11.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L. The GM of chromium concentrations in blood and urine of workers exposed to chromium were 8.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 11.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, respectively, whereas the chromium concentrations in blood and urine of the controls were 1.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 3.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences of blood and urine concentrations between study group and control group (p<0.01). The chromium concentrations in urine were most highly related to hexavalent chromium, concentration in air(r=0.642, p<0.01). Also, there was a relatively high correlation between the hexavalent chromium concentrations in air and chromium concentrations in whole blood(r=0.557, p<0.05). These results indicate that whole-blood chromium with urinary chromium could be an indicator of chromium body burden caused by exposure to chromic acid mist in plating operation.

• 월간산업보건
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• s.356
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• pp.16-25
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• 2017

Chromium exists at various valences, including elemental, trivalent, and hexavalent chromium, and undergoes reduction-oxidation reactions in the environment. Since hexavalent chromium is known as a human carcinogen, it is most important to evaluate the oxidationreduction characteristics of the hexavalent chromium species. Although hexavalent chromium can be reduced to trivalent state, the detailed information on this in workplace environments is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate hexavalent chromium reduction in time in various conditions. A pilot chrome plating operation was prepared and operated in a laboratory for this study. There was evidence that the hexavalent chromium was reduced by time after mist generation. The percentage ratio (with 95% confidence intervals in parentheses) of hexavalent chromium to total chromium was almost 100% (99.1 ; 102.3) immediately after mist generation, and was reduced to 87.4% (84.8 ; 89.9) at 1 hour and 81.0% (78.3 ; 83.5) at 2 hours, respectively. Another test indicated that hexavalent chromium collected on PVC filters was also reduced by time after sampling. Hexavalent chromium was reduced to 90.8% (88.2 ; 93.3) at 2 hours after sampling. It also was found that hexavalent chromium was reduced during storage in air. It is recommended that air samples of hexavalent chromium be protected against reduction during storage.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the exposure level of airborne hexavalent chromium in the plating industry and the exposure level compared to domestic and international occupational exposure limits. Methods: A total 92 samples were collected from ten industrial plating sites. Hexavalent chromium samples were collected using a three-stage cassette equipped with a 37 mm, 5 ㎛ pore size PVC filter. The analysis was performed by ion chromatography. Results: The geometric mean of hexavalent chromium concentration in the plating industry was 0.052 ㎍/m², and it was found that the average exposure level was 0.8 times the South Korean exposure limit. When applying the US ACGIH TLV, however, the average concentration was more than twice as high. Conclusions: The South Korean exposure limit for hexavalent chromium needs to be strengthened due to significant differences in exposure levels according to domestic and international occupational exposure limits. Furthermore, respiratory and dermal sensitization should be labeled.

• 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 Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.320-328
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• 2004

A number of health hazards are generated in welding processes. In this paper, the characteristics of fumes and some other hazardous agents in welding are reviewed. Fumes in welding are generated by complex mechanism like physical ejection of particles, oxidation-enhanced vaporization, vaporization-condensation-oxidation, and spatter contribution. Fume generation rates could be described as a power function in a given process. Most of fume constituents was originated from consumables rather than base metal. The mass distribution for the welding fumes is unimodal and very small to penetrate respiratory system. So, almost fractions of fumes are classified into the respirable particulate mass. Total chromium contents in FCAW were similar to those from SMAW whereas hexavalent chromium concentrations in fume were similar to those produced from MIG welding fume. Hexavalent chromium was mostly soluble which was similar to the characteristic solubility of fume hexavalent chromium from SMAW.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2005

There is now a growing concern about the possible toxicity of heavy metals in cosmetics. Heavy metals can be used as cosmetic ingredients or may be present as low level impurities in some of the raw materials. Chromium derivatives are used as pigments in cosmetics. Chromium is essential and toxic trace elements. Chromium may cause skin allergy. However, the regulations related to cosmetic products give no limit values for Chromium. Hexavalent chromium is significantly more toxic than trivalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium may present a carcinogenic risk at high concentrations. Therefore, it is important to consider oxidation state of chromium when analyze chromium. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentrations of water-soluble trivalent and hexavalent chromium in samples of makeup products, and to assess the safety of cosmetics on the basis of animal sensitization tests using guinea pig. The present study of chromium in 48 makeup products of 12 manufacturers provides a basis for assessing safety of makeup products. Water-soluble hexavalent chromium was not detected in any product. Water-soluble trivalent chromium was detected in only 9 eye shadows out of 48 makeup products, and could not be quantified 3 out of 9 eye shadows. The highest level of water-soluble trivalent chromium was about 10 mg/kg in spite of 90,000 mg/kg of total chromium. The results of animal sensitization tests show that 200 mg/kg of trivalent chromium and 5 mg/kg of hexavalent chromium have no harmful effect. No cross-reaction among these metals was found. Accordingly, the concentrations of water-soluble chromium in makeup products seemed to be safe. The overall results indicate that chromium in cosmetics probably have no significant toxicological effects. However, It is necessary to set guidelines on the maximum permissible concentration of water-soluble chromium in cosmetics.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine characteristics of workers' exposures to airborne total and hexavalent chromium by job title in electroplating processes. Methods: Total Cr was determined through a modified method based on NIOSH Method 7024. Airborne hexavalent Cr, Cr(VI), was sampled and extracted according to NIOSH Method 7600 and analyzed at 520 nm using an ion chromatograph/visible detector. Results: The geometric mean(GM) of total Cr concentrations from all factories was $11.2{\mu}g/m^3$(GSD=4.9). The GM of Cr(VI) concentrations from all factories was $2.84{\mu}g/m$ (GSD=5.2), and the concentrations among factories were significantly different (p<0.05). The Cr(VI) levels were lower than total Cr levels. Total Cr exposure levels were highest among buffing workers ($21.6{\mu}g/m^3$), but Cr(VI) levels were highest among plating workers($4.15{\mu}g/m^3$). The concentrations of Cr(VI) and total Cr from plating tasks was highly correlated(r=0.91). Conclusions: In the electroplating industry, plating workers were mainly exposed to Cr(VI), but others were not. Oxidation-reduction states of Cr and job titles should be considered in the exposure or risk assessments of chrome electroplating factories.