Chromium trichloride

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

1966

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: only five individuals were investigated in this study (only 4 by testing stripped skin)

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Patch Test Reactions to Hexavalent and Trivalent Chromium Compounds

Author:

M. H. SAMITZ, MD, AND JOSEPH SHRAGER, MD, PHILADELPHIA

Year:

1966

Bibliographic source:

Arch Derm - Vol. 94, Sept. 1966, p. 304- 306

Report date:

1966

Materials and methods

Type of study / information:

potential of eliciting skin reactions in chromate sensitised persons by application of chromium trichloride

Endpoint addressed:

skin sensitisation

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: human patch-test

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Potential to induce skin senistising effects in chromate sensitized persons by trivalent chromium compounds was investigated using volunteers

GLP compliance:

no

Remarks:

pre-dates GLP

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Chromium trichloride

EC Number:

233-038-3

EC Name:

Chromium trichloride

Cas Number:

10025-73-7

Molecular formula:

Cl3Cr

IUPAC Name:

chromium trichloride

Test material form:

not specified

Details on test material:

no data

Method

Ethical approval:

other: This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Research grant No. OH 00034-07 from the Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, US.

Details on study design:

Chromate-sensitive printers and lithographers with trivalent chrome solutions were tested. Four members of this chromate-sensitive group and a private patient with known chromate sensitivity took part in this study. Various concentrations of several trivalent compounds and of potassium dichromate, labeled by code numbers, were tested by conventional patch test methods on intact and stripped skin.

Exposure assessment:

measured

Details on exposure:

5, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1% CrCl3 was tested as aqueous solution

Results and discussion

Results:

Comparison of patch test reactions to hexavalent and trivalent chromium compounds in five chromate-sensitive subjects showed the following: One patient showed a mild reaction with 5% CrCl3 (0.187 M) and equivocal reactions with 0.5% (0.0082M). Four subjects showed no reactions with the various trivalent chromium compounds. Exposure to 0.25% potassium dichromate however showed strong positive reactions in all five individuals and exposure to 0.1% potassium dichromate showed strong reactions in three of five volunteers and no reaction in the other two individuals. Individual No. 3 in this study that showed a reaction with 5% chromium trichloride also showed effects when exposed to chromium(III) sulphate and showed the strongest reactions when exposed to potassium dichromate (most sensitive person in this study). In these patch-test studies trivalent chromium compounds, in molar concentrations equal to dichromate, were poor elicitors.

Any other information on results incl. tables

In investigating stripped skin (removal of skin barrier through stripping of skin by cellophan tape stripping of skin), 2 of four individuals showed a strong reaction when exposed to 5% chromium trichloride and one individual showed positive reactions when exposed to 1% and 0.5% chromium trichloride. Chromium(III) sulfate showed no reaction or equivocal reactions. On stripped skin the extent and rate of diffusion is of no consequence, because the stripping procedure permits direct entrance of the trivalent chromium compounds. Therefore, the relative inefficacy of these agents as elicitors may be due to their poor penetrating capacities.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

In these patch-test studies trivalent chromium compounds, in molar concentrations equal to dichromate, were poor elicitors. However, there is a possibility that workers, sensitised to chromium(VI) also can show some sensitivity to chromium(III) if exposed at high concentrations.

Executive summary:

In these patch-test studies trivalent chromium compounds, in molar concentrations equal to dichromate, were poor elicitors. However, there is a possibility that workers, sensitised to chromium(VI) also can show some sensitivity to chromium(III) if exposed at high concentrations. Hexavalent chromium is highly diffusible and consequently penetrates the skin readily. This strong penetration is an important factor in the strong performance of Cr(VI) as an elicitor. Chromium(III) compounds have a much lower tendency to penetrate skin. Whereas chromium(III) sulfate showed negligible pentrability through skin, chromium trinitrate and chromium trichloride appear to have a somewhat higher penetration rate through skin.