Chromium lethal

Reproductive Toxicity. No data are available that impHcate either hexavalent or trivalent chromium compounds as reproductive toxins, unless exposure is by way of injection. The observed teratogenic effects of sodium dichromate(VI), chromic acid, and chromium (HI) chloride, adininistered by injection, as measured by dose-response relationships are close to the amount that would be lethal to the embryo, a common trait of many compounds (111). Reported teratogenic studies on hamsters (117,118), the mouse (119—121), and rabbits (122) have shown increased incidence of cleft palate, no effect, and testicular degeneration, respectively. Although the exposures for these experiments were provided by injections, in the final study (122) oral, inhalation, and dermal routes were also tried, and no testicular degeneration was found by these paths. 

Data on toxicity of chromium to terrestrial invertebrates are sparse. Studies conducted in India showed that a concentration of 10 to 15 mg/L of CrM in irrigation water, when applied to soils for agricultural purposes, was lethal to two species of earthworms in 58 to 60 days (Soni and Abbasi 1981 Abbasi and Soni 1983). 

Riva, M.C., R. Flos, M. Crespi, and J. Balasch. 1981. Lethal potassium dichromate and whitening (blankophor) exposure of goldfish (Carassius auratus) chromium levels in gills. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 68C 161-165. 

Chromium(VI) compounds have been consistently genotoxic, inducing a wide variety of effects including DNA damage, gene mutation, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, cell transformation, and dominant lethal mutations. ... 

Tezuka M, Momiyama K, Edano T, et al. 1991b. Protective effect of chromium(lll) on acute lethal toxicity of carbon tetrachloride in rats and mice. J Inorganic Biochem 42 1-8. 

What do the ions of the following elements have in common calcium, Ca chlorine. Cl chromium, Cr cobalt, Co copper, Cu fluorine, F iodine, I iron, Fe magnesium. Mg manganese, Mn molybdenum, Mo nickel, Ni phosphorus, P potassium. K selenium, Se sodium, Na sulfur, S zinc, Zn They are all dietary minerals essential for good health, but can be harmful, even lethal, when consumed in excessive amounts. 

Acute inhalation LC50 values for chromium trioxide were 87 and 137 mg chromium(VI)/m3 for female and male rats, respectively (American Chrome and Chemicals 1989). Female rats were more sensitive than males to the lethal effects of most chromium(VI) compounds except sodium chromate, which was equally toxic in both sexes. Signs of toxicity included respiratory distress, irritation, and body weight depression (Gad et al. 1986). The LC50 values are recorded in Table 2-1 and plotted in Figure 2-1. 

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage was observed in rats given a lethal gavage dose of potassium dichromate (130 mg chromium(VI)/kg) (Samitz 1970). No adverse effects were observed in rats fed 2,040 mg... 

Diarrhea was reported in New Zealand rabbits exposed to lethal concentrations of chromium(VI) compounds (Gad et al. 1986). 

Similar dermal effects have been observed in animals. Dermal application of chromium(VI) compounds to the clipped, nonabraded skin of rabbits at 42-55 mg/kg resulted in skin inflammation, edema, and necrosis. Skin corrosion and eschar formation occurred at lethal doses (see Section 2.2.3.1) (Gad et al. 1986). Application of 0.01 or 0.05 mL of 0.34 molar solution of potassium dichromate (0.35 mg chromium(VI) or 1.9 mg chromium(VI)/kg) to the abraded skin of guinea pigs resulted in skin ulcers (Samitz 1970 Samitz and Epstein 1962). Similar application of 0.01 mL of a 1 molar solution of chromium sulfate (1 mg chromium(ni)/kg) however, did not cause skin ulcers in guinea pigs (Samitz and Epstein 1962). 

In animals, severe chromium deficiency has resulted in hyperglycemia, decreased weight gain, elevated serum cholesterol levels, aortic plaques, corneal opacities, impaired fertility and lethality. 

Acute inhalation LC50 and oral and dermal LD50 studies suggest that female animals are more sensitive to the lethal effects of chromium(VI) compounds (see Sections 2.2.1.1, 2.2.2.1, and 2.2.3.1). Whether human females are more sensitive than males to toxic effects of chromium or its compounds is not known. Other information identifying possible susceptible populations was not located. Some individuals who are sensitive to chromium may develop asthma as an anaphylactic response to inhaled chromium. Also, some individuals have less ability than others to reduce chromium(VI) in the bloodstream and are more likely to be affected by the adverse effects of chromium exposure (Korallus 1986a, 1986b). The ability to reduce chromium(VI) in the bloodstream may be related to the ascorbic levels in the plasma. 

Sugiyama M, Ando A, Nakao K, et al. 1989. Influence of vitamin B2 on formation of chromium(V), alkali-labile sites, and lethality of sodium chromate(VI) in Chinese hamster V-70 cells. Cancer Res 49 6180-6184. 

Chromates compose one of the most effective classes of inhibitors, but their use is now limited to closed systems because chromium is highly toxic to aquatic life. As little as 0.05 ppm hexavalent chromium can be lethal to some types of aquatic life. 

Boge G, N Diaye P, Roche H and Peres G (1988) [Effects ofhexavalent chromium at non-lethal concentrations on the enzymology of the intestine of Salmo gairdneri and Dicentrarchus labrax (Pisces)J. ) Physiol (Paris) 83 57-63. 

Chromium content varies with the textural composition of soils and sediments. Sandy soils and sediments contain lower chromium content than hue textured soils and sediments. Mean chromium content of the soil in the United States and Western Europe is reported to be 53 and 56 mg kg respectively. When its concentration reaches 0.1 g kg body weight, chromium can ultimately become lethal. 

C. Ingestion. Life-threatening toxicity has occurred from ingestion of as little as 500 mg of hexavalent chromium. The estimated lethal dose of chromic acid Is 1-2 g and of potassium dichromate, 6-8 g. Drinking water standards are set at 50 mcg/L (1 micromol/L) total chromium. 

---