What Is Chromium Toxicity?

Chromium poisoning exists in the trivalent chromium state in nature and is widely distributed. The important compounds are potassium dichromate, etc., which are accidentally poisoned, and have a corrosive effect on the local area. The hexavalent chromium in the blood is reduced to trivalent, which reduces the activity of glutathione reductase and changes hemoglobin into methemoglobin. Oxygen carrying capacity. The main findings in autopsy are signs of digestive tract corrosion and digestive tract mucosa stained yellow. Degeneration of liver, kidney, and myocardial cells was observed during prolonged poisoning, and renal tubular epithelial cells were necrotic. (Huang Feijun) ^[1]

Chromium poisoning

Chromium poisoning exists in the trivalent chromium state in nature and is widely distributed. The important compounds are potassium dichromate, etc., which are accidentally poisoned, and have a corrosive effect on the local area. The hexavalent chromium in the blood is reduced to trivalent, which reduces the activity of glutathione reductase and changes hemoglobin into methemoglobin. Oxygen carrying capacity. The main findings in autopsy are signs of digestive tract corrosion and digestive tract mucosa stained yellow. Degeneration of liver, kidney, and myocardial cells was observed during prolonged poisoning, and renal tubular epithelial cells were necrotic. (Huang Feijun) ^[1]

chromium(

In nature

Effects of chromium on the human body

Chromium is necessary for the human body

Toxicological information and environmental behavior

Hexavalent

Meaning of chromium poisoning

Chromium poisoning means that the amount of chromium in the blood and urine of the human body exceeds normal standards.

Occupational chromium poisoning

Industrial contact with chromium and its compounds is mainly chromium ore and dust and smelt during smelting of chromium, chromic acid mist is absorbed during electroplating, and hexavalent chromium compounds produced during production. Workers engaged in chemical industry and electroplating are prone to chromium poisoning.

In the electroplating industry, steel industry, and pigment industry, a large amount of dust and smoke of potassium dichromate can be inhaled in the short term, and chromic acid mist can be inhaled during electroplating to cause acute poisoning.

Oral administration of hexavalent chromium compounds by mistake or suicide can also cause acute poisoning. The lethal dose of oral dichromate to humans is 3g.

Chromium poisoning non-professional

Oral potassium dichromate has an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa, yellowing of the oral mucosa, vomiting of yellow or green substances, difficulty swallowing, burning pain in the upper abdomen, diarrhea, bloody stools, severe cases of shock, bruising, and breathing .

Potassium dichromate is toxic to the liver and kidneys, protein appears in the urine, and severe renal failure occurs in severe cases. Central nervous system symptoms can occur in infants and young children and should be differentially diagnosed with encephalitis.

Toxic effect

Clinically, chromium and its compounds mainly damage the skin and the respiratory tract, and the irritation and corrosion of the skin and mucous membranes appear, such as dermatitis, ulcers, rhinitis, perforation of the nasal septum, and pharyngitis. Can damage human skin and respiratory tract, forming a deep ulcer called chrome sores. After the appearance of chrome sores, chrome toxins enter the human blood to precipitate. In severe cases, renal failure occurs, and if not rescued in time, the patient will die quickly. It has been reported abroad that chromium poisoning can cause lung cancer and skin cancer. Chronic chromium poisoning, with symptoms of trauma to the skin and nasal mucosa.

1. Skin damage.

Hexavalent chromium compounds have irritating and sensitizing effects on the skin, erythema, edema, scars, ulcers appear on the skin, and the skin patch test is positive. Chromosis is a small, deep ulcer that occurs on the face, hands, and lower extremities. Chrome ulcers mostly occur in electroplating, chromium chemical industry, nitrate industry and so on. Skin trauma is mainly ulcers, also known as "chromic ulcers", which mostly occur on the easy-to-scratch areas on the back of the fingers on the fingers. The edges of the ulcers are raised and hard, and the middle is sunken, covered with yellow-brown scabs. The appearance is "corn-like". Deep into the intima. After healing, a well-defined circular scar remained. Dermatitis also occurs in the exposed parts of the wrist, forearm, and neck, showing patches of erythema and pimples. Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma caused by chromium have been reported in Japan.

2. Respiratory system damage.

The smoke and dust of chromate and chromic acid have obvious damage to the respiratory tract, which can cause perforation of the nasal septum, nasal mucosal ulcers, pharyngitis, pneumonia, patients with cough, headache, shortness of breath, chest tightness, fever, blue complexion, extensive wheezing in both lungs, Wet snoring, timely treatment, symptoms can last 2 weeks. It has been reported abroad that chromium can cause lung cancer. The damage of chromium to the nasal mucosa is swollen mucosa, poor ventilation, and a bit of erosion on one or both sides of the nasal septum. When the condition worsens, the nasal cavity is dry, the sense of smell is diminished, and nosebleeds are observed.

3. Digestive system damage.

Long-term exposure to chromate can cause stomach pain, gastritis, and gastrointestinal ulcers, accompanied by soreness and fatigue throughout the body. Taste and smell can be reduced or even disappeared.

Prevention method

To prevent chromium poisoning, workers must wear work clothes and wear gas masks. Wear long rubber gloves, which must be at least as long as the elbow.

Workers must have good ventilation equipment in the working environment. If labor protection is done well, acute severe chromium poisoning can be completely avoided.