[Peripheral air way disturbances, especially emphysematous changes due to chromate compounds (author's transl)]

There are few reports on peripheral air way due to chromate hazard, although many reports about upper and large respiratory tract disturbance were present. In this report, the bronchiolar and alveolar injuries due to chromate compounds were examined based on clinical, pathological investigation and animal experiments. The results were as follows. (1) Clinical investigations of former chromate workers (93 subjects): (a) Based upon findings of lung function tests and chest radiographs, no cases were diagnosed as definite emphysema, and there were only 4 suspected cases of emphysema. (b) 93 subjects were divided to 8 groups by smoking history and labor period, and were examined for their lung function. The values of %FVC, FEV1.0%, V50, V25, MMEFR, CV/VC% and delta N2% of these groups revealed within normal limits. (2) Pathological examination of autopsied and resected lung of 9 chromate lung cancer patients showed emphysematous changes of 8 cases, of which severe grade of emphysematous changes seen in only one, and mild or moderate emphysematous changes in seven. (3) All of the animals treated with monochromate or sodium dichromate, both of which were hexavalent chromate, showed emphysema in the long term experiments, but none treated with chromite ore (trivalent chromate) or saline. (4) The animals showed congestion soon after injection of monochromate in the short term experiments. Emphysematous changes clearly observed in 2 days. Based on our animal experiments, it is concluded that hexavalent chromate acts as a cause to produce emphysema. But clinically it seems reasonable to conclude that effects of chromate compounds to induce emphysema are very mild in men.

Health of workmen in the chromate-producing industry in Britain

In a follow-up study of 2715 men who had worked for at least one year at the three chromate-producing factories in Britain between 1948 and 1977 only 298 were lost to follow-up, and the average number of person-years in the study was 16.3. One hundred and sixteen deaths from lung cancer occurred in these men, with only 48.0 expected (O/E = 2.4; p less than 0.001). For men employed at the factory, which is still in operation, the relative risk of lung cancer has decreased from over 3.0 before plant modification to about 1.8 in those who have worked only since plant modification. A multivariate analysis was used in an attempt to unravel the overlapping influence of duration of employment, length of follow-up, plant modification, factory, age at entry to work, and estimated degree of chromate exposure. The major dependent factor appeared to be duration of employment; in addition the analysis suggested that modifications in the plant and work environment had been associated with an appreciable reduction of the excess risk from lung cancer.

Cortical damage from Zenker's solution applied to the dura mater

An experimental and clinical study was undertaken to determine whether Zenker's solution without glacial acetic acid (modified Zenker's solution) applied to the external surface of the dura mater can penetrate to injure the underlying cortex. Adult cats and dogs, the dura of which had an average thickness of 0.2 and 0.25 mm, respectively, were given intravenous Evans blue dye as an indicator of blood-brain barrier breakdown. This was followed by the application of modified Zenker's solution to the dura in a manner identical to the clinical practice. When the animals were killed 1 or 2 hours later, the cortex beneath the dura painted with modified Zenker's solution was stained massively. The thickness of human dura was measured; it varied from 0.22 to 0.28 mm in infants of 3 months or less, 0.27 to 0.42mm in infants 4 months to 12 months of age, and 0.32 to 0.45 mm in children to 1 to 18 years of age. Modified Zenker's solution applied to fresh dura for 3 minutes at autopsy gave visual evidence 1 hour later of penetration to the cortex beneath. In operative procedures for craniosynostosis, 69 patients were treated with modified Zenker's solution; of these, 7 developed seizures in the immediate postoperative period. No seizures occurred among the 39 patients on whom modified Zenker's solution was not used. It is concluded that modified Zenker's solution applied to the dura can damage the cortex beneath.

[Contact dermatitis in industry]

The type of skin reactions which occur in commerce and industry and the causal agents are summarized.

Causes of chromate dermatitis in Poland

A series of 250 consecutive patients with dermatitis and positive patch tests to chromate was divided into three groups: nonoccupational dermatitis (94), occupational dermatitis caused by chromate (132) and occupational dermatitis caused by allergens other than chromate (24). Only 17.2% of patients did not report harmful effects from chromium-tanned leather. Shoes were most often not tolerated. The role of matches in the development of chromate dermatitis is discussed. Observations on ash, household detergents, textiles, wood, tattooing, cement, galvanizing solutions, printer's ink, welding fumes, corrosion inhibitors and oils are described as causes of chromate dermatitis in Poland, as well as the localization of dermatitis and relevance of patch test reactions.

Eau de Javel and prevention of chromate allergy in France

"Eau de Javel" (liquid bleach) is a common cause of chromate contact allergy. A historical review explains the reasons for the addition of sodium dichromate after the First World War. The chromium content in different brands of eau de Javel has been determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the chromium content is very low (0.03--3.65 mg/l) in French brands, whereas it is still important (7.06--82.9 mg/l) in Belgian brands, such an observation indicates that the almost complete removal of chromate in most brands of French eaux de Javel is a good example of prevention in the field of contact dermato-alllergology.

Follow-up study of patients with contact dermatitis caused by chromates, nickel, and cobalt

The patch test results from 1,000 patients tested with the ICDRG standard series are analyzed for positive reactions to potassium dichromate, nickel sulphate, and cobalt chloride. Nickel appears to be the most common sensitizer, especially among women, although false-negative reactions may occur if it is tested with a 2.5% concentration in yellow petrolatum. Chromate dermatitis is generally of occupational origin among men. It is also quite common among Belgian women, probably because of the widespread use of Javel (liquid bleach), containing sodium dichromate as a colouring and stabilizing agent. Positive patch test reactions to cobalt are generally accompanied by allergic reactions to nickel or chromate. Its role as a primary allergen, however, must never be overlooked. The relationship between these metals and hand and foot eczema is evaluated. The results of a follow-up questionnaire are given. More than 70% of the patients allergic to chromates or nickel continued to suffer from contact eczema after the diagnosis had been made and therapeutic measures taken.

Cancer mortality among workers exposed to zinc chromate paints

To evaluate the carcinogenicity of chromium compounds among user industries, the proportionate mortality experience of spray painters exposed to zinc chromate primer paints and electroplaters exposed to chromic acid in the aircraft maintenance industry was examined. Compared to the mortality patterns of U.S. white males, no excess of cancer was found in the 48 deaths among electroplaters. Analysis of the 202 deaths among spray painters revealed a significant excess of cancer, primarily of the respiratory tract. The relative increase of respiratory cancer showed a positive gradient with the length of estimated exposure time, and was confined to painters whose interval from first employment to death was at least 20 years. The findings consistent with occupational exposure to chromium compounds, previously shown to be carcinogenic in manufacturing processes, but the effect of other paint constituents, tobacco smoking, or methodologic limitations could not be discounted.