Reaction mass of heptachromium tricarbide and trichromium dicarbide

Health surveillance data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

health surveillance data

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Read-across: exposure to various chromium species. Acceptable. Well-documented report.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

A survey of respiratory symptoms and lung function in ferrochromium and ferrosilicon workers.

Author:

Langård, S.

Year:

1980

Bibliographic source:

Int Arch Occup Environ Health.46(1): 1-9.

Materials and methods

Study type:

medical screening

Endpoint addressed:

repeated dose toxicity: inhalation

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

A questionnaire was used to record respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, detailed occupational history, and a past history of chest diseases among 60 ferrochromium plant workers. A medical examination of chest, heart and upper airways was carried out for all participants. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1) were recorded three times in each worker, abnd chest X-rays were taken to exclude pneumocosis or other parenchymal fibrotic process in the lungs. Expectorate samples were also obrained on three successive days.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

various Cr-compounds

IUPAC Name:

various Cr-compounds

Details on test material:

At the ferrochromium furnaces, the airborne chromium concentration was 0.02-0.19 mg/m3. 11-33% of the airborne chromium was water soluble, and was mainly supposed to consist of chromium (VI) compounds.

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Ethical approval:

not specified

Details on study design:

60 ferrochromium workers who had mainly worked at the ferrochromium furnaces or close to these were selected for the study. A questionnaire was used to record respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, detailed occupational history, and a past history of chest diseases among the workers. A medical examination of chest, heart and upper airways was carried out for all participants. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1) were recorded three times in each worker, and chest X-rays were taken to exclude pneumocosis or other parenchymal fibrotic process in the lungs. Expectorate samples were also obrained on three successive days. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms presented in two other Norwegian studies was used as reference.

Results and discussion

Results:

Among the 60 workers, two cases of perforated nasal septum were observed, and 25% suffered from bronchitis symptoms. However, the author concluded that the nasal perforations were indicative of previous exposure to hexavalent chromium. No connection between the presence of chromates and generalized obstructive lung diseases could be documented.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

There was no connection between the presence of chromates and generalized obstructive lung diseases among ferrochromium workers. Two cases of perforated nasal septum were observed, but due to the mixed dust exposure (including hexavalent chromium), no conclusions can be made on the specific effects of ferrochromium.

Executive summary:

The study monitored the health status (including respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, detailed occupational history, and a past history of chest diseases) of 60 ferrochromium plant workers. A medical examination of chest, heart and upper airways was carried out for all participants. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1) were recorded three times in each worker, and chest X-rays were taken to exclude pneumocosis or other parenchymal fibrotic process in the lungs. Expectorate samples were also obrained on three successive days.

The analysis of the connection between health status and occupational exposure revealed that there was no connection between the presence of chromates and generalized obstructive lung diseases among ferrochromium workers. Two cases of perforated nasal septum were observed, but due to the mixed dust exposure (including hexavalent chromium), no conclusions can be made on the specific effects of ferrochromium.