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7 Environmental impact associated with pulverized fuel ash: Chromium VI
Chromium is found in the environment in various forms, the most significant and stable being the trivalent form (Cr(III)) and the hexavalent form (Cr(VI)). Chromium (III) is essential for human health, the minimum daily requirement being estimated at between 30 and 130 nanograms per kilo bodyweight per day. Too much chromium can be harmful, however, since chromium (III) is fairly cytotoxic. Chromium (VI) is not only cytotoxic for the lungs and kidneys, but it is also a genotoxic carcinogen. When assessing the risks associated with chromium, two standards are therefore usually applied: one for chromium (VI) and one for other chromium compounds, including chromium (III) compounds. The status of chromium (VI) as a carcinogen derives mainly from its ability to cause lung cancer. Consequently, inhalation is the most significant exposure route. Chromium sources in indoor air are mainly cigarette smoke and welding smoke and in the ambient air chromium industry, wood preserve industry and oil refineries.
KEMA-report 50030086-KPS/MEC 00-6047.
External reviewer:
Prof Dr S.E. Wendelaar Bonga, Universityof Nijmegen, faculty of Science, department of animal physiology
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