Urinary excretion of chromium in chromeplaters after discontinued exposure

In a previous study [Lindberg and Vesterberg, 1983a], excretion of chromium in urine (U-Cr) in chromeplaters was proposed for biological monitoring of ongoing exposure. Published reports were found about the decline of U-Cr after discontinued exposure in welders working in chromium-alloyed stainless steel, but not in chromeplaters. In this study, half-times (t1/2) were calculated for ten chromeplaters over a weekend, and for 23 chromeplaters over 31 days vacation. The results suggest that the excretion of chromium can be approximated to a two-compartment model. Estimated from the median values, an initial rapid phase with an assumed t1/2 of 2-3 days is followed by a phase with a t1/2 of approximately a month. Differences between the decline of U-Cr in chromeplaters and welders are discussed.

Lung function in the workers of a cromate producing industry

Lung function and radiographic study was realized on 184 workers in a chromate producing industry (113 chronically exposed, 41 intermittently exposed and 30 unexposed). Prevalences were 22 (11.9%) cases of obstructive ventilatory pattern, 22 (11.9%) restrictive and 18 (9.7%) mixed. In the different ventilatory disfunction patterns, multivariant analysis in the three exposure groups, controlled by the tobacco variable, was statistically significant between exposure and restrictive ventilatory pattern (p = 0.0065). None of the workers presented radiologic alterations according to the ILO, 1980.

Milk tester's dermatitis

Hand dermatitis is a frequent problem among workers in milk testing laboratories. An epidemiologic study was conducted at the Pennsylvania Dairy Herd Improvement Association Milk Testing Laboratory, where more than 300,000 milk samples are examined monthly for protein, butterfat, and "somatic" cells. These samples are preserved with potassium dichromate for transport from the farm to the laboratory. A survey of the laboratory was conducted and workers were interviewed. Eight of 16 subjects reported a history of occupationally exacerbated hand dermatitis. Three of 16 subjects had positive patch test results to potassium dichromate. Two of 15 subjects who underwent patch testing to milk preserved with potassium dichromate had positive reactions. None reacted to milk alone, bronopol, or Kathon CG. Two workers are receiving workers' compensation because of severe allergic contact dermatitis of the hands to potassium dichromate. We conclude that milk testing laboratory workers are at substantial risk for acquiring allergic contact dermatitis from milk preserved with potassium dichromate.

Contact dermatitis in Nigeria. (II). Hand dermatitis in men

In a series of 545 consecutive contact dermatitis clinic patients, 274 (50.3%) were men, 56 (20.4%) of whom had hand dermatitis alone, 40 (71.4%) being allergic. The common sensitizers were dichromate in cement, nickel on metal gates, colophony, epoxy resins and rubber chemicals. 48 (85.7%) of the hand cases came from occupational sources. Half of the patch-test-negative men worked in wet jobs. The hands of Nigerian men appear to be less tolerant to irritant wet jobs than those of women who had the opportunity of becoming hardened from childhood.

Patch test results with standard allergens over a decade

The results of 10 years of patch testing with standard allergens are reported. An increase of sensitivity was found in nickel. Sensitivity to chromate had decreased. Sex and age differences in the incidence of allergy to metals were analysed. Nickel allergy appeared to be more common among women and was of most importance in the younger age groups.

Age and sex incidence of allergic contact dermatitis

A retrospective study of patients patch tested between 1968 and 1970 was undertaken and case records of 200 patients with unequivocal positive patch tests were studied for age and sex distribution. There was an overall female preponderance (61%), with 2 peaks of incidence in the 10-20 and 40-50 year age groups in females, but only 1 peak of incidence in the 40-50 year age group in males. There was a steady decline in all sensitivities after the 6th decade of life in both sexes. Nickel sensitivity was more common in females (92%), whereas dichromate sensitivity predominated in males (64%). Of the 200 patients, only 5(2.5%) were atopics, all of whom were females.

[Chromate eczema in food, domestic and cleaning occupations]

No chromium in the form of chromate was found in flour and baking powders. Contradictory reports published elsewhere have not been substantiated. The occasional incidence of chromate allergy observed in the domestic services trades, bakeries, curing houses and bottling plant were found to be due to traces of chromate in the following substances: wood ash 0.23 ppm, lignite ash 0.05 to 1.7 ppm, refractory brick 0.5 to 0.9 ppm, certain alkaline scouring agents 0.1 to 0.2 ppm, suds produced when washing chromate-containing glasses 0.13 to 1.61 ppm. Furthermore, when surface treating heated cr-ni sheet steel sheet panels of 10 square centimetre size with alkalis or organic acids (acetic acid) it was possible to dissolve 0.33 to 60.0 micrograms of chromium as chromate.

Chromate allergy: total chromium and hexavalent chromate in the air

This is a study on atmospheric concentration of total chromium and hexavalent chromate and its role in chromate sensitivity. Air concentration of total chromium and hexavalent chromate in a construction factory, a busy city area, a suburban area, a residential area, and a heavy industrial area were measured by air sampling pumps. Hexavalent chromate was not detected in any sampled areas. Two (concreting areas) of 8 locations in the construction factory had total chromium of 0.2 and 2.3 micrograms/m3 in the atmosphere. It appeared that the atmospheric concentration of total chromium and hexavalent chromate was negligible. These findings indicate that unexplained chromate sensitivity, as so often seen in patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic, is not attributable to exposure to hexavalent chromate in the air.

Sickness absence due to occupational dermatoses in a prefabrication construction factory

In a study of sickness absence due to occupational dermatoses among 360 construction workers in a prefabrication construction factory in 1984, we found 3 workers with allergic contact dermatitis from chromate in cement who required medical leave. There were 5 sickness absence spells due to occupational dermatoses and the number of days lost due to occupational dermatoses was 53 days for the year. This averaged out at 0.01 spells per worker per year, 0.15 days per worker per year and 15 days per spell. It appeared that the number of workers requiring sickness absence from occupational dermatoses was low, but that those with the condition required about 2 weeks of sickness absence. Allergic contact dermatitis from chromate in cement appeared to be the only occupational dermatosis causing sickness absence in the factory.

Acute renal failure after chromic acid injection

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Hypersensitivity to chromated catgut sutures: a case report and review of the literature

Chromated catgut sutures are used extensively in general surgical procedures. Although delayed hypersensitivity reactions to this material are difficult to diagnose post-operatively--ie, they may be interpreted as non-specific complications of surgery--the condition can be readily evaluated by patch testing with chromate or intracutaneous placement of the actual suture material. Multiple reports in the literature suggested that there was an increased frequency of post-operative adhesions, wound dehiscence, infection, and even intestinal obstruction along the line of suture material to which the patient had been sensitized during a previous surgery. Particularly with the widespread availability of fully synthetic suture materials, which appear to be less sensitizing, an increased awareness of chromate hypersensitivity in patients undergoing repeated surgical procedures may decrease the frequency of subsequent inflammatory post-operative complications. We report a patient with a history of multiple abdominal surgical procedures, eosinophilic cystitis surrounding the suture material, prolonged post-operative pain, and inflammatory masses at the sites of previous surgery associated with a positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to patch test chromate and to intradermal chromic catgut.

Metal sensitivity: positive history but negative test indicates atopy

Among patients with a history of metal sensitivity, 50 were patch-test-negative to nickel, cobalt and chromate. 20 of them were further examined epicutaneously and intracutaneously. They were also studied with a clinical diagnostic method for symptoms and signs of atopy. Most patients in this category were found to be atopic.

Chromate sensitivity in Singapore

The incidence of chromate sensitivity in a South East Asian country was found to be 3.22%, the female:male ratio being 1:5, with the majority of the allergies being occupational in origin in men and unexplained in women. Cement was the most common cause among the occupational allergies. Housewives and office workers were the most common occupations in those with unexplained allergies.