Hexavalent Chromium

Controlling Hexavalent Chromium Contamination

Hexavalent chromium is produced in numerous industrial processes and is commonly generated in textile manufacturing, leather tanning, electroplating, and stainless steel production. It can also be formed during welding on stainless steel. Exposure to or ingestion of hex chrome can cause serious health problems ranging from dermatitis to lung cancer. Because of the threat to employees' health, OSHA has recommended regulatory standards for controlling exposure.

Does Your Business Use Applications That Produce Hexavalent Chromium?

Many industrial processes can produce hexavalent chromium, including welding chromium alloys (both stainless steel and nickel alloy contain hexavalent chromium), thermal spraying (electric arc, combustion, and plasma spraying using metallic chromium in the feedstock), coating with chromates (many primers, paints, dyes, and inks contain chromates), and leather tanning (processes can convert the chromium compounds used in tannin to hexavalent chromium).

It's important to remember that hex chrome has its own threshold limit value (TLV), so it's possible to exceed this limit even though your output of hexavalent chromium is lower than your output of other airborne contaminants.

How Can Your Employees Become Exposed?

Inhalation (through the mouth and nose), skin contact (absorbed through the skin on contact), and ingestion (exposed food, cosmetics, or tobacco contaminated through poor personal hygiene).

Health Effects of Exposure

Exposure to hex chrome can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat; gastrointestinal ulcers; contact dermatitis; ulcerations and perforations of the nasal septum; and cancer of the lungs, sinuses, and nasal passages.

OSHA Workplace Standards for Hexavalent Chromium

OSHA regulations for hexavalent chromium have been in place since 2006. Employers must protect their workers from an exposure greater than 5 micrograms of hex chrome per cubic meter of air per 8-hour workday. Capture-at-source ventilation is the recommended method of control. Employers should also provide protective clothing, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and record keeping.

Controlling Hexavalent Chromium Contamination

The best way to protect your workers from hexavalent chromium exposure is with a well-designed ventilation system. Sledge Tech provides three options: Downdraft Tables (extract fumes and dust downwards, away from workers' breathing zones), Fume Extractors (HEPA filtration with lightweight and heavy-duty portable options), and Ambient Air Cleaners (extract dust, mist, and fumes without the need for ductwork).

Contact Sledge Tech today to find out more about our air filtration solutions. All our systems are OSHA compliant. You can reach us at (706) 622-3039 or request a quote online.