Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
Diss Factsheets
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 246-356-2 | CAS number: 24613-89-6
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Toxicological Summary
- Administrative data
- Workers - Hazard via inhalation route
- Workers - Hazard via dermal route
- Workers - Hazard for the eyes
- Additional information - workers
- General Population - Hazard via inhalation route
- General Population - Hazard via dermal route
- General Population - Hazard via oral route
- General Population - Hazard for the eyes
- Additional information - General Population
Administrative data
Workers - Hazard via inhalation route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 43 µg/m³
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- effect on fertility
- Route of original study:
- Oral
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- ECHA REACH Guidance
- Overall assessment factor (AF):
- 37.5
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- LOAEL
- Value:
- 5.2 mg/kg bw/day
- Modified dose descriptor starting point:
- other: LAEC
- Value:
- 1.6 mg/m³
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
According to RAC/35/2015/09: oral absorption 5%; inhalation absorption 30%; standard respiratory volume 0.384 m³/kg bw/day; breathing rate for workers light activity vs rest 1.5.
Doses refer to Cr(VI), corresponding doses for Dichromium trischromate are 3 fold higher.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- insufficient hazard data available (further information necessary)
DNEL related information
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- carcinogenicity
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
DNEL related information
Workers - Hazard via dermal route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 43 µg/kg bw/day
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- effect on fertility
- Route of original study:
- Oral
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- ECHA REACH Guidance
- Overall assessment factor (AF):
- 150
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- LOAEL
- Value:
- 5.2 mg/kg bw/day
- Modified dose descriptor starting point:
- other: LAEL
- Value:
- 6.5 mg/kg bw/day
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
According to RAC/35/2015/09: oral absorption 5%; dermal absorption 4%
Doses refer to Cr(VI), corresponding doses for Dichromium trischromate are 3 fold higher.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- insufficient hazard data available (further information necessary)
DNEL related information
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
Workers - Hazard for the eyes
Local effects
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
Additional information - workers
Grouping of the water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds
Dichromium tris(chromate) contains both Cr (III) and Cr (VI) moieties. Cr (III) compounds are generally not classified for health effects; they are poorly absorbed into the body following oral, dermal and inhalation exposure and Cr (III) is an essential nutrient required for energy metabolism. It is predicted that effects of the substance will be almost entirely due to Cr (VI), therefore a read-across is proposed to other water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds. The compounds in this group (e. g. chromium (VI) trioxide, sodium (VI) dichromate, potassium (VI) dichromate, sodium (VI) chromate and potassium (VI) chromate) are considered to be sufficiently similar in terms of their toxicology to enable grouping of the compounds and to allow read-across between toxicity studies performed using any compound in this group. Additionally, read-across from this group to other water-soluble Cr (VI) compounds is also appropriate.
Once systemically absorbed, and beyond any effects specific to the site of contact, the Cr (VI) compounds are considered to be essentially identical in terms of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. All the compounds are water soluble and will therefore dissociate in the aqueous physiological environment to liberate chromate (VI) or dichromate (VI) ions.
Toxicokinetics
There are a relatively large number of literature studies investigating the toxicokinetics of the water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds. The findings of these studies (in experimental animals and human volunteers) show that the bioavailability of Cr (VI) is relatively low following oral and dermal exposure, but higher following inhalation exposure. Once absorbed, distribution is relatively rapid and extensive; accumulation is seen in the erythrocyte due to binding to haemoglobin caused by the intracellular glutathione-mediated reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III). Extensive reduction to Cr (III) also occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, plasma and in other cells and is caused by reaction with glutathione, ascorbate or cytochrome P450; this metabolic pathway is present in all mammals. As a consequence of this reduction, absorbed Cr (VI) is excreted (in urine and faeces) in the form of glutathione complexes of Cr (III).
Acute toxicity
Dichromium tris(chromate) was found to be toxic by the oral route, but not toxic by the dermal route. Chromium trioxide is toxic by the dermal route. Chromium trioxide, sodium chromate, sodium dichromate and potassium dichromate are all very toxic by inhalation and toxic by the oral route.
Irritancy
Dichromium tris(chromate) 25% solution was not corrosive in the in vitro EPISKIN reconstituted human epidermis assay. No in vivo data are available, and further testing cannot be justified as dichromium tris(chromate) is classified as corrosive to skin according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Studies with sodium chromate, sodium dichromate or potassium dichromate indicate that these compounds are skin irritants when mixed with water. Aqueous chromium (VI) trioxide (chromic acid) is corrosive due to its low pH. Experience from occupational use with the water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds indicate that they may be corrosive. No eye irritation studies are available, however severe irritancy is assumed.
Sensitisation
Experience from occupational exposure indicates that the water-soluble Cr (VI) compounds (e.g. potassium dichromate, sodium dichromate, chromium trioxide) are both skin and respiratory sensitisers. Evidence from animal studies also indicates that these compounds are skin sensitisers. Dichromium tris(chromate) is classified as a skin sensitiser according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, however neither experimental data nor occupational/medical information indicate that dichromium tris(chromate) might be a respiratory sensitiser.
Repeated dose toxicity
Short-term toxicity studies in the rat and mouse were performed using oral administration of potassium dichromate and sodium dichromate. The results of these studies show local irritant effects on the gastrointestinal tract and red blood cell findings (microcytic anaemia) consistent with an effect on iron homeostasis or haemoglobin synthesis. The results of repeated exposure inhalation studies in the mouse with chromium trioxide show local irritant effects on the respiratory tract.
Genotoxicity
Dichromium tris(chromate) gave positive results in a GLP and guideline-compliant bacterial reverse mutation test.
The overall body of evidence indicates that Cr(VI) is genotoxic in vivo, resulting in the formation of DNA adducts and oxidative DNA damage. However, clear evidence of mutagenicity in vivo in the target tissues for carcinogenicity (lung and intestine) by relevant routes of exposure is lacking. This supports the contention that Cr(VI) is only weakly mutagenic in vivo and that its mutagenicity is most likely to be only one contributory factor in the carcinogenic process, together with tissue injury/irritation/inflammation and cell proliferation.
Carcinogenicity
The carcinogenicity of chromium (VI) salts have been extensively reviewed by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE, 1989); the UK Institute of Occupational Health (IOH, 1997) and in the EU RAR (2005). Chromium (VI) causes lung tumours in humans and animals by the inhalation route and tumours of the gastrointestinal tract in animals by the oral route. These are both local, site-of-contact tumours; there is no evidence that Cr(VI) causes tumours elsewhere in the body. Reference dose response relationships for the carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium substances are documented in the ECHA publication "Application for authorisation: Establishing a reference dose response relationship for carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium", Ref RAC/27/2013/06 Rev.1, dated 4 Dec 2013.
Reproductive toxicity
There are a multitude of published studies that address the toxicity to reproduction and developmental toxicity of Cr(VI) substances. As the most sensitive and sufficiently reliable studies, RAC/35/2015/09 identified the study by Li et al. (2001) for fertility effects, and the study by Elsaieed and Nada (2002) for developmental effects. Based on these studies, the Committee for Risk Assessment derived an oral LOAEL of 5.2 mg Cr(VI)/kg bw/d for effects on the testes in rats treated for 6 days (Li et al., 2001), and an oral LOAEL of 7.9 mg Cr(VI)/kg bw/d for a number of foetal effects in rats during gestation (Elsaieed and Nada, 2002). Derivation of the corresponding DNELs is described in RAC/35/2015/09.
General Population - Hazard via inhalation route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 11 µg/m³
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- effect on fertility
- Route of original study:
- Oral
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- ECHA REACH Guidance
- Overall assessment factor (AF):
- 75
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- LOAEL
- Value:
- 5.2 mg/kg bw/day
- Modified dose descriptor starting point:
- other: LAEC
- Value:
- 0.8 mg/m³
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
According to RAC/35/2015/09: oral absorption 5%; inhalation absorption 30%; standard respiratory volume 1.15 m³/kg bw/day.
Doses refer to Cr(VI), corresponding doses for Dichromium trischromate are 3 fold higher.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- insufficient hazard data available (further information necessary)
DNEL related information
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- carcinogenicity
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
DNEL related information
General Population - Hazard via dermal route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- DNEL (Derived No Effect Level)
- Value:
- 22 µg/kg bw/day
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- effect on fertility
- Route of original study:
- Oral
DNEL related information
- DNEL derivation method:
- ECHA REACH Guidance
- Overall assessment factor (AF):
- 600
- Dose descriptor starting point:
- LOAEL
- Value:
- 5.2 mg/kg bw/day
- Modified dose descriptor starting point:
- other: LAEL
- Value:
- 6.5 mg/kg bw/day
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
According to RAC/35/2015/09: oral absorption 5%; dermal absorption 4%
Doses refer to Cr(VI), corresponding doses for Dichromium trischromate are 3 fold higher.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- insufficient hazard data available (further information necessary)
DNEL related information
Local effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
General Population - Hazard via oral route
Systemic effects
Long term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
- Most sensitive endpoint:
- carcinogenicity
DNEL related information
- Explanation for the modification of the dose descriptor starting point:
According to RAC/27/2013/06 Rev. 1, based on an exposure for 70 years (24h/day, every day) and an 89-year life expectancy and against a human background cumulative lifetime intestinal cancer risk of 9 – 16 per 1000 for the German population, the following risk estimates is derived: An excess lifetime intestinal cancer risk = 8 x 10-4 per μg Cr(VI) /kg bw/day.
Acute/short term exposure
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
DNEL related information
General Population - Hazard for the eyes
Local effects
- Hazard assessment conclusion:
- high hazard (no threshold derived)
Additional information - General Population
The EU RAR identified no concerns for human health from indirect exposure via the environment other than in relation to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity for which no thresholds could be determined. However, exposure modelling of exposure via the environment indicated very low daily intakes, suggesting low concern.
Direct exposure of the general population from production or use of dichromium trischromate is not expected based on the uses presented in this document. Emission abatement techniques are used to minimise air emissions of chromium trioxide, however indirect exposure to chromium (VI) in the form of particulates may potentially occur. The environmental behaviour of chromium is such that chromium (III) is the relevant form for the consideration of indirect oral exposure.
The UK Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) hassuggested that an adequate level of intake for chromium (III) lies above 0.025 mg/day for adults (0.00035 mg/kg bw/d) and between 0.0001 and 0.001 mg/kg/day for children and adolescents (COMA, 1991). COMA also noted that no adverse effects were observed at intakes of 1000–2000 mg/day trivalent chromium. The US National Research Council (NRC) specify an Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake (ESADDI) of 0.05–0.2 mg/day for adults and 0.01–0.04 mg/day for infants (0‑0.5 years).
There are no data to indicate that dermal exposure to Cr(VI) compounds presents a cancer risk to humans (RAC/27/2013/06 Rev.1).
However, since in RAC/35/2015/09 DNEL values for the general population were derived based on the reproductive toxicity of Cr(VI) compounds, these DNEL values are considered in this dossier as well. As the most sensitive and sufficiently reliable studies, RAC/35/2015/09 identified the study by Li et al. (2001) for fertility effects, and the study by Elsaieed and Nada (2002) for developmental effects. Based on these studies, the Committee for Risk Assessment derived an oral LOAEL of 5.2 mg Cr(VI)/kg bw/d for effects on the testes in rats treated for 6 days (Li et al., 2001), and an oral LOAEL of 7.9 mg Cr(VI)/kg bw/d for a number of foetal effects in rats during gestation (Elsaieed and Nada, 2002). Derivation of the corresponding DNELs is described in RAC/35/2015/09.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.