Chromium: Metabolism and Toxicity

181 Pages·1983·20.154 MB·\181

by  Desmond Burrows (Editor)

Chromium:
Metabolism
and
Toxicity
Editor
Desmond Burrows, M.D., F.R.C.P.
Department of Dermatology
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Boca Raton London New York
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PREFACE
Chromium is important in medicine because of its widespread use (about 400,000
tons are processed in the U.S. each year), toxicity, carcinogenic effect, and its high
sensitization index in low concentrations. In the U.S., the use of chromium is divided
as follows: (1) Metallurgical industries—57%; 50% chromite oxide, mainly trivalent,
primarily used alloyed with iron, nickel, and cobalt; 60% being stainless steel. (2)
Refractory materials 30%; 34% chromic oxide mainly trivalent used in furnace bricks
because chromite has a high melting point (2040°C)—this use is declining as open
hearths are replaced by basic oxygen furnaces. (3) Chemical Industry 13%, 45%
chromic oxide, tanning agents, pigments, catalysts, plating, and wood preservers. Chro-
mium therefore has a very widespread use in industry and the following workers could
be in contact with chromium:
Abrasive makers Diesel locomotive repairmen
Acetylene purifiers Donkey greasers
Adhesive workers Drug makers
Airplane sprayers Dye makers
Aircraft workers Dyers
Alizarin makers
Alloy makers Electroplaters
Aluminium anodizers Enamel workers
Anodizers Engine cleaners
Antifreeze makers Explosive makers
Army (uniform)
Artificial flower makers Fat fishfryers
Automobile workers Fat purifiers
Fireworks makers
Battery makers Flypaper makers
Biologists Food laboratory workers
Blueprint makers Foundry workers
Boiler scalers Furniture polishers
Brass cleaners Fur processors
Brewers
Bricklayers Glass fiber makers
Builders laborers Glass frosters
Glass makers
Candle makers Glass polishers
Carburetor cleaners Glue makers
Cement workers Gramophone makers
Central heating workers
Ceramic workers Histology technicians
Chemical workers Housewives—detergents
Chromate workers
Chromium alloy workers Ink makers
Chromium allum workers Jewellers
Chromium platers Joiners
Color television makers
Copper etchers Laboratory workers
Copper plate strippers Laundry workers
Corrosion inhibitor workers Leather finishers
Crayon makers Leather glove makers
Linoleum workers Porcelain decorators
Lithographers Pottery frosters
Machinists Pottery glazers
Magnesium treaters Printers—making plates and off set
Magnetic tape makers printing
Margarine workers Railroad engineers
Match makers Refractory boiler cleaners
Metal cleaners Refractory brick makers
Metal etchers Rubber makers
Metal polishers
Metal workers Sheet metal workers
Milk preservers Shingle makers
Milk testers Silk screen makers
Miners Soap makers
Mordanters Sponge bleachers
Stainless steel and other chrome alloy
Oil drillers workers
Oil purifiers
Tanners
Painters Textile workers—dyes, mordant, and
Paint makers cutting markers
Palm oil bleachers Tin can labelers
Paper dyers Tire fitters
Paper manufacturers
Paper waterproofers Ventilation engineers
Pencil makers
Perfume makers Wallpaper printers
Photoengravers Wax workers
Photographers Welders
Plasterers Wood preservative workers
Platinum polishers Wood stainers
In a book such as this it is almost inevitable that there will be some slight overlap
as disciplines impinge on each other. This has been kept to a minimum except where
it was felt useful to have the same topic dealt with from a slightly different viewpoint.
A good deal of thought has been given to whether it is more correct to use the term
4'chromium" or "chromate," particularly in the Skin and Allergy section. The point
is often made that the element chromium itself, seldom, if ever, causes toxic effects
or sensitization. However, in Chapter 5, the case is made for the use of "chromium"
in sensitization and so in this section chromium is used, whereas in the skin section
"chromate" is used because in effect it is only chromate salts of chromium which are
harmful to the skin.
I would like to thank the following who gave their helpful advice on the content and
detail of the book: Dr. J. Martin Beare, Dr. Charles Calnan, Professor Harold Elwood,
Professor Sigfrid Fregert, Dr. James L. Gardiner, and to Colin Burrows for manuscript
correction. I am very grateful to Mr. W. D. Linton and Miss M. Saunders, Queen's
University of Belfast Medical Library for their help with bibliographic citation.
THE EDITOR
Desmond Burrows (Consultant Dermatologist, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast)
first became interested in chromate dermatitis when working as a MRC Research Fellow
with Professor Calnan at the Institute of Dermatology, London from 1960 to 1961.
Since that time, he has published numerous papers on clinical aspects of chromate
allergy as well as contributing to symposia on the subject. He has contributed chapters
on contact dermatitis to Dermatology, Dr. P. Hall-Smith, Ed., Butterworth and to In-
dustrial Dermatitis, Dr. A. Griffiths, Ed., Blackwell. He is a Fellow of the Royal
College of Physicians, Edinburgh and Ireland; Member of the Executive Committee,
British Association of Dermatologists and British Contact Dermatitis Group; and Chair-
man of the Dermatology Committee, Central Committee for Hospital Medical Services,
British Medical Association. He has been Visiting Professor to Oregon Health Sciences
Center, Portland and Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif.
CONTRIBUTORS
P. Lesley Bidstrup, M.D., F.R.C.P., Andrew H. G. Love
F.R.A.C.P. Department of Medicine
Sloane Terrace Institute of Clinical Science
London, England Royal Victoria Hospital
Professor of Gastroenterology
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Desmond Burrows, M.D., F.R.C.P. Queen's University of Belfast
Consultant Dermatologist Belfast, Northern Ireland
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast, Northern Ireland Ladislav Polak, M.D., C.Sc.
Scientific Specialist
F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co., Ltd.
Sverre Langàrd, M.D., M.Sc. University Lecturer
Department of Occupational Medicine Dermatological Clinic
Telemark Sentralsjukehus University of Basel
Porsgrunn, Norway Basel, Switzerland
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chromium—Biological and Analytical Considerations 1
G. Love
Chapter 2
The Carcinogenicity of Chromium Compounds in Man and Animals 13
S. Langard
Chapter 3
Effects of Chromium Compounds on the Respiratory System 31
P. L. Bidstrup
Chapter 4
Immunology of Chromium 51
L. Polak
Chapter 5
Adverse Chromate Reactions on the Skin 137
D. Burrows
Index 165

1
Chapter 1
CHROMIUM—BIOLOGICAL AND ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
A. H. G. Love
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction 2
II. Biological Aspects 2
A. Occurrence 2
B. Absorption 3
C. Tissue Levels 3
D. Serum Values 4
E. Excretion 4
F. Environmental Exposure 4
III. Analytical Techniques 5
A. Methods 5
1. Optical Spectroscopy 5
2. Activation Analysis 6
3. Mass Spectroscopy 6
4. X-Ray Emission Techniques 7
B. Choice of Analytical Method 8
1. Accuracy and Precision. . 8
2. Limit of Detection 8
3. Elemental Coverage 8
4. Determination of Chemical Form 9
5. Spatial Distribution of Elemental Composition 9
6. Practical Considerations 9
C. Future Developments 9
References 10