Transcript Hexavalent Chromium - WVU Ext

Hazards of Hexavalent Chromium in
the Workplace
Disclaimer
This material was produced under grant number SH-22248-11-60-F-54
from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S.
Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products,
or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
• Identify hexavalent chromium exposures in industry
• Describe health effects of hexavalent chromium
• Identify engineering controls to limit exposure
• Describe work practice controls to limit exposure
• Determine type of respirator usage
• A toxic form of chromium metal
used in many industrial
applications, primarily for its anticorrosive properties.
• May be generated during welding
on stainless steel or metal coated
with chromate paint.
• Used in electroplating (chrome
plating).
Products that contain hexavalent chromium
Product
Types of Hexavalent Chromium Chemicals
lead chromate (chrome yellow, chrome
pigments in paints, green, molybdenum orange) zinc chromate
barium chromate calcium chromate
inks, and plastics
potassium dichromate sodium chromate
anti-corrosion
coatings (chrome
plating, spray
coatings)
stainless steel and
other high
chromium alloys
textile dyes
chromic trioxide (chromic acid) zinc
chromate barium chromate calcium
chromate sodium chromate strontium
chromate
hexavalent chromium (when cast, welded, or
torch cut)
ammonium dichromate potassium chromate
potassium dichromate sodium chromate
wood preservation
chromium trioxide
leather tanning
ammonium dichromate
5
• Chrome plating or
electroplating
• Welding or cutting on
stainless steel.
• Grinding on object with
chromate paint.
• Painting operations and
paint removal.
• Glass manufacturing
Inhalation of dust, mist or fumes
containing hex chrome or
formation of hex chrome from
hot processes.
Eye or skin contact with liquids
or dust containing hex chrome.
• Lung cancer
• Nasal septum ulcers or
perforations
• Bronchitis or asthma
• Skin effects “chrome
hole”
• Cancer risk from Cr (VI) at new PEL is higher than
asbestos and benzene risk at their PELs
– Asbestos: 6.7 deaths per 1000 workers
– Benzene: 10 deaths per 1000 workers
– Chrome VI: 10-45 excess lung cancer deaths per 1000
workers for 45 years of exposure at new PEL of 5
ug/m3
• This is the most important slide of the
presentation
– The health risks of Hex Chrome at the PEL are greater
than Asbestos or Benzene at their PEL
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) – 8 hour
average exposure limit
 5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in air
Action level (AL)
 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in air
If initial air monitoring
concentration is:
Then:
– Below the AL
– No further monitoring
– At or above AL
– Monitor every 6 months
– Above the PEL
– Monitor every 3 months
An area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne
concentrations of chromium 6 is, or can be expected to be, in
excess of the PEL.
• The employer shall ensure that regulated areas are
demarcated from the rest of the workplace.
• The employer shall limit access to regulated areas to:
– Persons authorized by the employer and required by work duties to be
present in the regulated area
– Designated representative of employees for the purpose of observing
monitoring procedures.
• Exhaust ventilation is
the most common way
to reduce airborne
exposure of chrome 6.
• Place the exhaust duct
close the welding point
to effectively capture
the most fume.
• Other types of
engineering controls
can be used.
• Always wear your respirator in the areas where it is
required.
• Don’t eat, drink or smoke in the area where there is
chrome 6.
• When you take a break, wash your hands before
eating, drinking or smoking.
• Keep your head out of the plume.
• Use available local exhaust
ventilation at all times.
• Welding on stainless steel in a
confined space will likely require
both exhaust ventilation and the use
of a respirator.
List worksite specific work practices that reduce or control exposures.
The employer shall provide respiratory protection for employees during:
(1) Time needed to install or implement feasible engineering and work
practice controls;
(2) Work operations for which engineering and work practice controls are not
feasible;
(3) Work operations where all feasible engineering and work practice controls
and such controls are not sufficient to reduce exposures to or below the PEL;
(4) Work operations where employees are exposed above the PEL for fewer
than 30 days per year, and the employer has elected not to implement
engineering and work practice controls to achieve the PEL; or
(5) Emergencies.
When respirators are
required, a respirator
program will be
followed that meets
the requirements of
OSHA’s Respiratory
Protection standard
1910.134
• Respirators must be worn at
all times when chrome 6 is
above PEL.
• Must fit properly to prevent
leaks.
– Must have a fit test
– No beards
• Must have a respirator
medical evaluation.
List or describe what respirators must be used under what conditions, job
tasks, or locations.
• Employer will provide PPE where skin or eye
contact with chrome 6 is present or likely to
be present.
• PPE may include goggles, gloves, helmet,
coveralls.
• Remove all PPE after work is completed and
don’t wear or take it home.
• Don’t remove chrome 6
from clothing by
blowing (compressed
air) or shaking or any
means that disperses it
into the air.
• Employer must launder,
repair and replace
protective clothing for
you.
Where protective clothing is required and skin
contact with chrome 6 may occur, employers
must provide:
– Change rooms with separate storage facilities for
work clothes and street clothes.
– Washing facilities to be
used to wash hands and
face before eating, drinking
or smoking and at the end
of the work shift.
• All surfaces are maintained as free as practicable of
accumulations of chromium 6.
• All spills and releases of chromium 6 containing material
are cleaned up promptly.
• Cleaned by HEPA-filter vacuuming or other methods that
minimize the likelihood of exposure to chromium 6.
• Waste, scrap, debris, and any other materials
contaminated with chromium 6 are disposed of in sealed,
impermeable bags or containers.
• Employer must provide medical exams for all
employees:
– Who are or may be occupationally exposed to
chromium 6 at or above the action level for 30 or
more days a year;
– Experiencing signs or symptoms of the adverse
health effects associated with chromium 6
exposure; or
– Exposed in an emergency.
• Within 30 days after initial assignment
• Annually
• Within 30 days after a doctor recommends
additional exams
• When employees shows signs or symptoms of
chrome 6 exposure
• Within 30 days after exposure during an
emergency.
• At the termination of employment
• Medical and work history
– Cr(VI) exposure (past, present, future)
– History of respiratory system dysfunction
– History of asthma, dermatitis, skin
ulceration or nasal system perforation
– Smoking status and history
• Physical examination, with emphasis on the
respiratory tract and skin
• Any additional tests deemed appropriate by the
healthcare professional
You have the right to see any of your medical
records related to chrome 6.
You also have the right to see results of any air
sampling done, or other chrome exposure date.