Allergic chromate/chromium

Chronic exposure to excess hexavalent chromium results in irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Exposure to low doses of any form of chromium can induce allergic reactions causing skin rashes and swelling of the skin in sensitive individuals. Ulcerations (or chrome holes) can occur among workers who are exposed to high concentrations of chromic acid, sodium or potassium dichromate or chromate or ammonium dichromate. The ulcers... 

Contact dermatitis can occur from exposure to cement and has been considered an occupational hazard for construction workers (Turk and Rietschel 1993 Roto et al. 1996 Zachariae et al. 1996). The problem develops because chromium(VI)-con-taining residues from blast furnaces are incorporated into cement. Some countries add ferrous sulfate to cement to reduce the amount of soluble hexavalent chromate in the product (Turk and Rietschel 1993 Roto etal. 1996 Zachariae etal. 1996). In the UK, chromium and chromates accounted for 8.1% of the allergic contact dermatitis cases (Meyer et al. 2000). In Finland, chromium causes 5.6% of ACD, with tanners, cast concrete workers, leader goods workers, and metal plating/coating workers being at greatest risk (Kanerva et al. 2000). In Denmark, the chromium(VI) content of 35% of... 

In contrast, hexavalent chromium species, predominantly chromate at physiological pH, behave very differently and are toxic for bacteria, plants, and animals. Primary effects are related to the oxidative nature of Cr(VI), which manifests itself in irritation of the skin and the mucous membranes and allergic effects on lung and bronchia. Cr(VI) that survives reduction by body fluids is rapidly taken up by the... 

Tandon R, Aarts B (1993) Chromium, nickel and cobalt contents of some Australian cements. Contact Dermatitis 28 201-205 Valsecchi R, Cainella T (1984) Chromium dermatitis and ascorbic acid. Contact Dermatitis 10 252-253 Veien NK, Hattel T, Laurberg G (1994) Chromate-allergic patients challenged orally with potassium dichromate. Contact Dermatitis 31 137-139... 

---