Chrome ulcerations

These compounds do not appear to cause other effects associated with the hexavalent chromium compounds, such as chrome ulcers, irritative dermatitis, or nasal septal perforation. ... 

Chrome ulcer, a penetrating lesion of the skin, occurs chiefly on the hands and forearms... 

An early report of cases of chrome ulcers in leather tanners noted that the only workmen in tanneries who suffered chrome holes were those who handled dichromate salts. In one of these cases, the penetration extended into the joint, requiring amputation of the finger (Da Costa et al. 1916). In a medical survey of... 

Blair J. 1928. Chrome ulcers. Report on twelve cases. J Am Med Assoc 90 1927-1928. 

Edmundson WF. 1951. Chrome ulcers of the skin and nasal septum and their relation to patch testing. 

LiebermanH. 1941. Chrome ulcerations of the nose and throat. New Engl J Med 225 132-133. 

Samitz MH, Epstein E. 1962. Experimental cutaneous chrome ulcers in guinea pigs. Arch Environ Health 5 463-468. 

Chromium is a human element . There is a trace amount (1-12 mg) in the body, which is needed to utilise glucose, and it is also involved in an unknown type of interaction with RNA. Lack of chromium can lead to diabetes, however, high concentrations, especially of chromates, are labelled as extremely toxic (and are suspected as being carcinogenic). Chromium workers usually develop chrome ulcer disease. Compounds containing hexavalent chrome are considered serious human health hazards. OSHA, NIOSH, and CDC determined that calcium chromate, chromium trioxide, lead chromate, strontium chromate and zinc chromate specifically cause (lung) cancer [43]. 

Examples Contact dermatitis, eczema, or rash caused by primary irritants and sensitizers or poisonous plants oil acne friction blisters, chrome ulcers inflammation of the skin. 

Skin diseases or disorders arc illnesses involving the worker s skin that result from work exposure to chemicals, plants, or other substances. Examples are contact dermatitis, eczema, or rash caused by primary irritants and sensitizers or poisonous plants oil acne friction blisters chrome ulcers and inflammation of the skin. 

United Kingdom (Burrows 1978). An active programme of reducing contamination of the workplace with chromate will significantly reduce the incidence of chrome ulcers (Dornan 1981). In view of this, it is disappointing that, in a recent survey of 71 platers in the West Midlands of Britain, 22% were found to have permanent nasal damage, 34% had evidence of healed chrome ulcers, and 13% had evidence of new and healing ulcers. Of the 20 companies studied, 10% had at least one plater with a new ulcer (Williams 1996). 

Most ulcers will heal if the patient is removed from the source. Necrosis of cartilage, but not bone, can occur malignant change does not occur, and there is no increased incidence of chrome allergy in those with chrome ulcers. 

Trivalent chromate is not considered toxic, but hexavalent chromate has considerable toxic effects. In sufficient concentrations, it (1) causes cancer, particularly lung cancer (Bidstrup 1983), (2) causes respiratory symptoms of bronchitis (Langard 1983), (3) affects the immune system [Snyder et al. (1986) found a lower level of interleukin 6 produced by pokeweed nitrogen-stimulated mononuclear cells isolated from patients exposed to chromate in the soil], and (4) causes irritant dermatitis and chrome ulcers of the skin and mucous membranes. 

The commonest symptom associated with the irritant effect of chromates are chrome ulcers occurring either in the skin or nasal septum. In 1978, there were about 100 reported cases of chrome ulcers occurring in the... 

Chromates and dichromates used in cement manufacture and chromium plating may cause skin irritation or ulceration and chrome ulcers in the skin of the hands or in the inside of the nose where the ulcer may penetrate the cartilage of the nasal septum. 

Health surveillance should be supervised by a registered medical practitioner or, where appropriate, it should be done by a suitably qualified person (e.g. an occupational nurse). In the case of inspections for easily detectable symptoms like chrome ulceration or early signs of dermatitis, health surveillance should be done by a suitably trained responsible person. If workers could be exposed to substances listed in Schedule 6 of the COSHH Regulations, medical surveillance, under the supervision of an HSE employment medical adviser or a doctor appointed by HSE, is required. 

---