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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.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: 215-607-8 | CAS number: 1333-82-0
- 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
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Positive results from in vivo corrosivity screening studies are available for chromium (VI) trioxide.
Effects on skin irritation/corrosion: corrosive
Effects on eye irritation: corrosive
Effects on respiratory irritation: irritating
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Skin irritation / corrosion
Link to relevant study records
- Endpoint:
- skin irritation: in vivo
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- 15th-18th February 1983
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- guideline study
- Remarks:
- Proprietary guideline-compliant study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- other: US Department of Transport
- Deviations:
- no
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Corrosivity screening test in the rabbit in vivo
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Remarks:
- Pre-GLP study
- Species:
- rabbit
- Strain:
- New Zealand White
- Type of coverage:
- occlusive
- Preparation of test site:
- shaved
- Vehicle:
- physiological saline
- Controls:
- not required
- Amount / concentration applied:
- 0.5 g, moistened with 0.5 ml saline
- Duration of treatment / exposure:
- Up to 30 minutes
- Observation period:
- Up to 1 hour
- Number of animals:
- Two
- Details on study design:
- Two animals were exposed for three minutes and observed at regular intervals for corrosive effects.
- Irritation parameter:
- overall irritation score
- Basis:
- mean
- Reversibility:
- not reversible
- Remarks on result:
- other: signs of local tissue destruction
- Irritant / corrosive response data:
- Signs in both animals indicate local tissue destruction, which was confirmed by histopathology.
- Other effects:
- Histopathology showed coagulative necrosis of the epidermis and the outer dermis, with epidermal sloughing and capillary congestion.
- Interpretation of results:
- other: corrosive based on EU GHS criteria
- Conclusions:
- The results of the study show that chromium (VI) trioxide is corrosive to skin.
- Executive summary:
0.5 g chromic acid (moistened with 0.5 ml physiological saline) was applied under occlusive conditions to the shorn dorsal skin of two rabbits. The application time in the first animal was 30 minutes; observations were made at up to 30 minutes, when the animal was sacrificed for humane reasons. Application time in the second animal was 3 minutes; observations were made for up to 1 hour, when the animal was sacrificed for humane reasons. In both animals, the skin at the application site appeared hard and brown, preventing the assessment of erythema. Oedema and pain were observed in both animals from early timepoints. Histopathology of skin at the application site confirmed a corrosive effect.
- Endpoint:
- skin irritation: in vivo
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Study reported in summary form only, but the results support the proposed classification.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- The method is a non-standard screening/prelimary eye and skin irritation study, but provides adequate information to support the proposed classification.
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Remarks:
- Study pre-dates GLP
- Species:
- rabbit
- Strain:
- New Zealand White
- Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
- TEST ANIMALS
- Weight at study initiation: 3-4 kg
- Housing: individually - Type of coverage:
- semiocclusive
- Preparation of test site:
- not specified
- Vehicle:
- unchanged (no vehicle)
- Controls:
- no
- Duration of treatment / exposure:
- 24 hours
- Observation period:
- Up to seven days
- Number of animals:
- Two
- Details on study design:
- TEST SITE
- Area of exposure: inner surface of ear
REMOVAL OF TEST SUBSTANCE
- Washing (if done): after exposure period the test item was washed off using water and soap
- Time after start of exposure: 24h - Irritation parameter:
- other: pallor, desquamation and severe reddening
- Basis:
- mean
- Time point:
- 7 d
- Remarks on result:
- probability of severe irritation
- Irritant / corrosive response data:
- Overall conclusion: severe skin irritant.
- Other effects:
- Signs of irritation including pallor, desquamation and severe reddening are reported. The summary also indicates that the administered dose (equivalent to 125-170 mg/kg bw) was lethal to the treated animals. This finding is discussed under the acute dermal toxicity section.
- Interpretation of results:
- other: EU GHS criteria
- Conclusions:
- The results are not reported in great detail but are consistent with the results of other studies and literature reports which indicate that chromium trioxide is a severe skin irritant.
- Executive summary:
Chromium trioxide (500 mg) applied to the skin of rabbits for 24 hours prodiuced severe irritation and lethality.
Referenceopen allclose all
Brown discoloration of the application site in the first animal after 3 minutes prevented the assessment of erythema; slight oedema (Grade 2) was apparent at this stage. Similar findings were noted at 15 minutes (following replacement of the patch). At 30 minutes Stage 3 oedema was observed and the animal showed signs of pain. The skin was noted to be hard and leathery. The animal was sacrificed at this point. The second animal showed signs of pain within 30 seconds of administration. Scoring of erythema was not possible after 3 minutes due to brown discoloration of the skin: the patch was not replaced at this point. Slight (Grade 2) oedema was apparent and the skin was hard. Moderate (Grade 3) oedema was seen at 30 and 60 minutes, at which point the animal was sacrificed.
The results are not reported in detail but are consistent with the results of the other proprietary study and literature reports which indicate that chromium trioxide is a severe skin irritant.
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- adverse effect observed (corrosive)
Eye irritation
Link to relevant study records
- Endpoint:
- eye irritation: in vivo
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: The study is reported in summary form only, but the results support the proposed classification
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- The study is a non-guideline irritation screening study.
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Remarks:
- Pre-dates GLP; screening study
- Species:
- rabbit
- Strain:
- New Zealand White
- Vehicle:
- unchanged (no vehicle)
- Controls:
- no
- Duration of treatment / exposure:
- Animals were exposed to 50 mg of the test material and observed for up to 7 days.
- Observation period (in vivo):
- 7 days
- Number of animals or in vitro replicates:
- Two
- Irritation parameter:
- overall irritation score
- Basis:
- other: not applicable
- Time point:
- other: not applicable
- Max. score:
- 100
- Reversibility:
- not reversible
- Remarks on result:
- other: An overall score irritation is not given in the report. A maximum score of 100 has been added for completeness. The test substance was found to be corrosive.
- Irritant / corrosive response data:
- An overall score irritation is not given in the report. A maximum score of 100 has been added for completeness. The test substance was found to be corrosive.
- Other effects:
- Very marked reddening and corrosion are noted.
- Interpretation of results:
- other: EU GHS Cat. 1 cause serious eye damage
- Conclusions:
- The results of this study indicate that chromium trioxide is corrosive.
- Executive summary:
50 mg chromium trioxide instilled into one eye of two New Zealand White rabbits produced corrosive effects.
Reference
Results are reported very briefly (very marked reddening and corrosive effects).
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- adverse effect observed (irreversible damage)
Respiratory irritation
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- adverse effect observed (irritating)
Additional information
A corrosivity screen in the rabbit in vivo (Cuthbert, 1983) showed that chromic acid (aqueous chromium trioxide) is corrosive to the skin. The results of a briefly reported screening study (Thyssen, 1979) also indicate severe skin and irritation. The EU RAR (2005) does not include any studies but states that 'aqueous chromium (VI) trioxide is a corrosive substance due to its low pH'. Further testing in vivo for skin or eye irritation (i.e. in guideline and GLP-compliant studies) is therefore not required and is not justifiable both on scientific grounds or for reasons of animal welfare. The EU RAR (2005) states that symptoms of sensory irritation of the respiratory tract are known to occur among chrome plating workers exposed to a mist of aqueous chromium (VI) trioxide. Since this material is corrosive, such symptoms are to be expected. No quantitative data on such irritation are available from studies of workers.
Chromium trioxide is markedly more corrosive to skin than other water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds, as a consequence of its low pH when mixed with water or moisture to form chromic acid. Read-across between chromium trioxide and other water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds is therefore not appropriate for skin and eye irritation/corrosion.
Further available information on skin irritation
The EU RAR summarises the results of a number of non-standard studies in animals which indicate that the water-soluble Cr (VI) compounds sodium chromate, sodium dichromate and potassium dichromate are likely to be skin irritants. Experience from occupational exposure to these compounds indicates severe dermal irritation / corrosivity. The studies were performed in different species and using various non-standard methods. All of the water-soluble Cr (VI) compounds were found to be skin irritants in the studies sumamrised in this review. Chromium (VI) trioxide is considered to be corrosive as a consequence of its low pH.
Single application of sodium chromate, sodium dichromate or potassium dichromate to rabbit skin for 4 hours resulted in irritant responses of erythema and oedema of grade 3 or less when the compounds were in solution or moistened with saline. The reactions appeared to subside but irritation was still present at 6 days after application. In general, abrasion of the skin before treatment had no effect on the outcome. It was claimed in one study that single application of potassium dichromate solution to abraded skin in the guinea pig caused skin 'sores'.
In terms of human experience, direct accidental contact with very acidic or high temperature solutions of highly water-soluble Cr (VI) compounds has resulted in severe burns to human skin. It is not clear from the available reports whether intact skin is damaged by single contact with neutral solutions of such compounds. In one patch test study, some volunteers responded to 0.5% aqueous potassium dichromate with mild irritation, especially around the hair follicles.
Aqueous chromium (VI) trioxide is a corrosive substance due to its low pH. Concentration-dependent erythema was observed in guinea pigs when repeated applications were made daily for 4 days on unabraided skin using potassium dichromate solution. In another study in the guinea pig, daily repeated application up to 28 days resulted in a more severe response only when the skin was traumatised by wax
depilation or non-scarring abrasion prior to application. T he severity of response was dependent on the concentration of potassium dichromate and the degree of trauma to the skin. Chrome ulcers with thick
eschar and underlying tissue necrosis were observed. In workers regularly exposed to highly watersoluble Cr (VI) in solution, chrome ulcers develop after some initial damage to the skin. This has been described for dye workers handling sodium or potassium dichromate solutions and frequently in exposed workers in the chromate production and chrome plating industries. The severity of the ulcer depends upon the frequency and duration of skin contamination. Small papules develop initially, progressing to an ulcer which penetrates gradually to deeper skin layers. Typically, chrome ulcers have a hard circular periphery and a cavity leading to a base covered with exudate or a crust.
The findings of a number of non-standard studies in various animal species indicate that water-soluble Cr (VI) compounds sodium chromate, sodium dichromate and potassium dichromate are likely to be skin irritants
Further available information on eye irritation
The EU RAR reports the results of a number of eye irritation studies of different design.
Animal studies: A neutralised sodium chromate solution was not irritant to the rabbit eye. In contrast, repeated administration of potassium dichromate in powder form daily for 7 days caused severe irritation including necrosis of the conjunctivae and ulceration of the cornea
Occupational exposure: Accidental splashing of highly water-soluble Cr(VI) compounds in solution into the eye has resulted in damage to the human eye. A number of case reports have detailed both inflammation of the cornea and conjunctivae and in more severe cases, corneal erosion and ulceration. The severity of response is increased by low pH or high temperature. Accidental eye contact with the corrosive aqueous chromium (VI) trioxide results in
conjunctival congestion and necrosis and corneal oedema and opacity.
Justification for classification or non-classification
The results of a screening studies in the rabbit in vivo clearly show that chromic acid (aqueous chromium trioxide) is corrosive. Further testing in vivo for skin and eye irritation is therefore not required and cannot be justified on animal welfare grounds.
Chromium (VI) trioxide is listed in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 under Index No 024-001-00-0 with the following harmonised classification:
Skin Corr. 1A, H314 'Causes severe skin burns and eye damage'
No change to this classification is proposed.
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.