{"id":70603,"date":"2022-05-30T14:47:05","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T18:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/camfilapc.com\/?post_type=blog&p=70603"},"modified":"2022-06-07T16:39:08","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T20:39:08","slug":"know-your-dust-hexavalent-chromium","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/camfilapc.com\/es\/blog\/know-your-dust-hexavalent-chromium\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Your Dust: Hexavalent Chromium"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hexavalent Chromium is a carcinogenic substance created from different welding and hot metalworking processes. This dust\/fume can be very dangerous to employees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What makes it dangerous, and what steps can you take to mitigate the risks? Read below to learn about how hex chrome is produced, and how to protect workers at your facility from health issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Hex Chrome?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hex Chrome is a major byproduct of all materials made from chromium. It is formed when metalworkers are performing \u201chot work\u201d such as welding on stainless steel or other alloy steels that contain chromium metal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that hex chrome is most commonly produced in carbon steel welding, stainless steel welding, painting, electroplating, steel mills, and iron and steel foundries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chromium is not originally hexavalent. The high temperatures involved in allow steel welding result in oxidation of the chromium that changes it to a hexavalent state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Workers are exposed to hex chrome through inhalation, absorption through the skin or swallowing if they don\u2019t thoroughly wash their hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Issues Resulting from Hex Chrome Exposure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hex Chrome compounds are occupational carcinogens and can cause numerous health issues to workers if they are not protected and the facility not properly maintained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Greater risks for lung cancer are the most dangerous health effects related to exposure. However, it can also cause nasal septum ulceration and perforations, skin ulcerations, and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once in the body, hex chrome will usually target organs, including the respiratory tract. Inhalation at high levels can cause irritation to the nose and throat, damage to mucous membranes, and perforation of septum tissue between the nostrils and nose. Over time, workers can develop asthma symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Permissible Limits and Determining Worker Exposure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States has permissible limit standards and guidelines determining exposure to protect workers from hex chrome in the workplace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The permissible exposure limit for all hex chrome compounds is 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (\u03bcg\/m3) as a time-weighted average (TWA) in an 8-hour shift. This also includes rules related to preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, protective work clothing and equipment, hygiene areas and practices, medical surveillance, hazard communication and record keeping.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exposure is defined by OSHA as the concentration of contaminants to which an employee would be exposed without using personal protective equipment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OSHA does not recommend specific technologies to mitigate risks, however, it does require companies that generate hex chrome to monitor the air to determine the 8-hour TWA exposure for each affected worker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two options to determine exposure:<\/span><\/p>\n