Occupational exposure to Cr(VI): comparison between chromium levels in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and urine

Abstract

The relationships between chromium (Cr) levels in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, urine, and ambient air were compared among 14 chrome-platers from a metallurgic plant in Bulgaria and two groups of local controls, one from the same heavily polluted industrial town as the chrome-platers (n = 11) and one from a seaside resort town 100 km away (n = 6). Among the chrome-platers, the Cr concentration in peripheral lymphocytes was positively correlated with total Cr and Cr(VI) levels in ambient air and with Cr excretion in urine. As compared to the controls, the chrome-platers had mean Cr levels in lymphocytes twice as high, in erythrocytes ninefold higher, and in urine fourfold to eightfold higher. Although Cr levels in urine and lymphocytes were similar between the two control groups, levels in erythrocytes were 3 times higher among subjects from the industrial area than among those from the seaside town. The study suggests that lymphocyte Cr could be a good indicator of the Cr body burden caused by high exposures to Cr(VI), such as in electroplating operations. In these conditions, erythrocyte Cr may be less useful, possibly owing to increased toxicity due to the high affinity of erythrocytes for Cr. However, when exposure is lower, such as in most environmental situations, erythrocyte Cr should provide a better and more sensitive index than lymphocyte Cr. By contrast, urinary Cr, which provides information on total Cr exposure, including Cr(III) from dietary and environmental sources, does not seem to be of value for studying occupational exposure to Cr(VI).

Protective effects of selenium against potassium dichromate-induced hematotoxicity in female and male Wistar albino rats

“…It was reported that Cr (VI) easily enters physiological membranes and is actively transported into cells and remains there for the life of the cell. In persons occupationally exposed to Cr (VI), the determination of Cr (VI) showed a significant increase in chromium levels in the lymphocytes [32]. Furthermore, the depletion of lymphocytes has also been reported in vivo in patients with metallic prostheses and has been correlated with elevated chromium levels in blood [33].…”

Chromium in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

“…Thus, whenever this element is present in urine, it may directly act on the urothelium, especially inside the bladder, which functions as a temporary reservoir for urine and, as such, is exposed to Cr action for a longer time. Of added interest is evidence suggesting that urinary Cr levels increase with time of occupational exposure, which potentially could increase the risk for developing a bladder neoplasm [15,17].…”

“…This observation can be attributed to the fact that serum Cr concentration reflects current exposure rather than wholebody burdens [15]. Therefore, absence of difference in Cr serum levels between subjects with bladder cancer and controls provides an indirect evidence that both groups of people had similar exposure to chromium.…”

“…Moreover, there is epidemiological evidence suggesting that Cr is a plausible bladder carcinogen [11][12][13][14]. Additionally, higher Cr levels in the urine of people occupationally exposed to this element have been reported, further suggesting its possible contribution to lower urinary tract carcinogenesis [15]. Thus far, however, there has been no demonstrable direct evidence for the association of Cr with human urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.…”

Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Dioxide by Carbons Impregnated with Triethylenediamine

“…Human occupational experience clearly indicates that prolonged inhalation of chromate (VI) dust leads to airway irritation, airway obstruction, and possibly lung cancer. 10 Concerns on the impact of metal-impregnated ACs present in (industrial) waste products has resulted in researchers focusing on the search for effective but lowimpact impregnated materials, such as organic coatings. Several promising new impregnation agents have been developed, such as triethylenediamine (TEDA), diisopropylamine (DIPA), di-N-propylamine (DNPA), piperidine, tartaric acid, and citric acid, for the removal of contaminants.…”