Avoiding older pressure treated lumber can reduce your risk of exposure to chromium. In the past, pressure treated wood used chromated copper arsenate however, the use of this product in residential settings was discontinued effective December 31, 2003. Avoid smoking in enclosed spaces like inside the home or car in order to limit exposure to children and other family members. In laboratory animals, chromium(VI) compounds have been shown to cause tumors to the stomach, intestinal tract, and lung.Ĭhromium is a component of tobacco smoke. Mixed results have been found in studies of populations living in areas with high levels of chromium(VI) in the drinking water. In workers, inhalation of chromium(VI) has been shown to cause lung cancer. The National Toxicology Program 11 th Report on Carcinogens classifies chromium(VI) compounds as known to be human carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that chromium(VI) compounds are carcinogenic to humans. Sperm damage and damage to the male reproductive system have also been seen in laboratory animals exposed to chromium(VI). Chromium(III) compounds are much less toxic and do not appear to cause these problems. The main health problems seen in animals following ingestion of chromium(VI) compounds are to the stomach and small intestine (irritation and ulcer) and the blood (anemia). Respiratory tract problems similar to those observed in workers have been seen in animals exposed to chromium in air. However, the concentrations causing respiratory problems in workers are at least 60 times higher than levels normally found in the environment. The concentrations of chromium in air that can cause these effects may be different for different types of chromium compounds, with effects occurring at much lower concentrations for chromium(VI) compared to chromium(III). Workers have also developed allergies to chromium compounds, which can cause breathing difficulties and skin rashes. These health effects include irritation of the lining of the nose, runny nose, and breathing problems (asthma, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing). The most common health problem in workers exposed to chromium involves the respiratory tract. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), the form (chromium VI as opposed to chromium III), and how you come in contact with it. If you are exposed to chromium, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. You can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. ![]() Such a release does not always lead to exposure. ![]() When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure to this substance may be harmful. ![]() Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility exists that the number of sites at which chromium is found may increase in the future as more sites are evaluated. Chromium has been found in at least 1,127 of the 1,699 current or former NPL sites. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term federal clean-up activities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. This public health statement tells you about chromium and the effects of exposure to it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |