![]() In recent years, the Dutch Department of Defense reported many incidents related to the workers’ use of hexavalent chromium. Paint with chromium VI has been used widely to protect military equipment. Where else is hexavalent chromium being used? Various other workers in the sectors mentioned above are at risk as well. Welders are not the only ones affected by the hazards of hexavalent chromium. Workers in the metal industry, shipyards, construction work, and transportation sector are the possible prime victims. You will find exposure to welding fumes in multiple sectors. Usually, chromium is not added to other types of steel, but it can be around at low levels, due to the use of scrap steel in the production process. That doesn’t mean it is limited to this material. Where do we find hexavalent chromium?Įxposure to hexavalent chromium in welding fumes is primarily associated with welding stainless steel. So, the more exposure to it, the bigger the chance you may become a victim of Chromium 6. However, if there are more hexavalent chromium oxides in the working place, there is a greater chance of hexavalent chromium entering cells and damaging them. If the conversion takes place outside a cell, for example in sweat or stomach acid, the process is harmless. These risks include DNA damage, resulting in autoimmune diseases and cancer. When conversion to trivalent chromium takes place inside a cell, the cell can be harmed, which can lead to a wide variety of health issues. The harmfulness of this process is determined by its location: inside or outside a cell. When hexavalent chromium oxide is dissolved in water, it changes into trivalent chromium. Serious consequences: autoimmune diseases and cancer It can be inhaled or swallowed, but it can also penetrate your skin and cause diseases. In small doses, it is actually an essential nutrient for the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids.Ĭr(VI) or hexavalent chromium is the hazardous form of chromium. Most people will know chromium metal, or Cr(0), from coatings on faucets in bathrooms and the likes, or classic vehicles, and in various alloys.Ĭr(III) or trivalent chromium is a natural element found in rocks, animals, and plants. There are differences between the various forms of chromium. In its mineral form, it has been used as a paint pigment since the 18th century. The name chromium is derived from the Greek word ‘chroma’ which means colour. ![]() The longer version is hexavalent chromium. It is often called Chrome 6 or Chromium 6, chromium VI or short Cr(VI). There are various ways to describe the substance. What is Chromium 6 (hexavalent chromium)? ![]() Approximately 400,000 workers 2 in the Netherlands regularly work in circumstances with welding fumes. It targets the respiratory system, liver, kidneys, skin, nose, and eyes, and is known to cause cancer and COPD 1. The last few years, more and more information about the dangers of hexavalent chromium (Chromium 6) in welding fumes has surfaced. This means that the health risks could be much greater than previously thought. It appears that Chromium 6 is not only to be found in paints and coatings but also in certain types of welding fumes. “Shocking,” concluded the investigators, pointing fingers at both NedTrain and the city that didn’t inquire at all. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen is blamed for knowing that this kind of painting was used on the trains but never mentioning it to the city of Tilburg. The exposed workers in Tilburg were scraping off this specific paint of old trains. This substance is also used in certain paints and coatings for its corrosion protection. Chromium metal itself is not very dangerous, but during welding or grinding the metal is oxidized to hazardous hexavalent chromium. The city of Tilburg has to pay a total of 10 million euros to those that have been exposed to and those that have gotten ill from Chrome 6, working at the Nederlandse Spoorwegen workshop.Ĭhromium metal is used in many steel alloys to harden the material and make it more resistant to corrosion. 04 June 2019 What is hexavalent chromium & how to act for best protection.Ī recent case (early February 2019) of financial compensation for 800 workers who have been exposed to the hazardous hexavalent chromium in the workshop of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NedTrain-department) in Tilburg, the Netherlands, has again put the spotlight on the danger of this substance. ![]()
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