Other problems can include damage to mucous membranes, perforation of septum tissue between the nostrils of the nose, and damage to the lungs. Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause sores to develop in the nose, resulting in nosebleeds. Symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, itching, and a burning sensation. Breathing in high levels of it can cause nose and throat irritation.
Once in the body, hex chrome typically targets the organs, especially the respiratory tract.
#Hex chrome osha skin
Lung cancer is the greatest health danger associated with exposure, but other major health problems include nasal septum ulcerations and perforations, skin ulcerations, and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. NIOSH considers all hex chrome compounds to be occupational carcinogens. The largest number of workers identified as potentially exposed to hex chrome in the NIOSH study were those working in carbon steel welding, stainless steel welding, painting, electroplating, steel mills, and iron and steel foundries.Ī number of industrial processes used to manufacture stainless steel parts carry a risk of hex chrome exposure including welding, thermal spray (plasma, electric arc, and combustion), plasma and laser cutting, dip tanks, anodizing and plating lines, spray painting, and smelting of ferrochromium ore.Įxposure to hex chrome can occur by inhalation, absorption through the skin, or even ingestion by mouth if employees don’t wash their hands sufficiently.
Exposure generally occurs during hot work such as welding on stainless steel and other alloy steels that contain chromium. workers were exposed to airborne hexavalent chromium compounds in the workplace in one year. Workplace Exposure to Hex ChromeĪccording to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an estimated 558,000 U.S. To do so, employers must be well-versed in the health problems associated with exposure to fumes, the methods and processes that produce hex chrome, and acceptable engineering controls for safety and regulatory compliance. It is imperative for facilities to take proper steps to protect employees from dangerous hex chrome fume. Hexavalent chromium (hex chrome) is a carcinogenic substance produced in a variety of welding and metalworking processes. Hex chrome is produced during welding and other types of hot work on stainless steel and other metals that contain chromium.
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