Research Plus

Chromium VI cancer risk at work

A systematic review (five included studies) identified an ‘acceptable’ lifetime risk of lung cancer from exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) of fewer than four cases per 10,000 workers at airborne concentrations of 0.1μg/m3. There was an ‘intolerable’ risk – more than four cases per 1,000 – at 1μg/m3. The authors acknowledge limitations in their pooled risk estimates, including due to uncertainty in the exposure estimates and possible coexposure of those working in chromate plants from which the estimates are derived.

Systematic review and quantification of respiratory cancer risk for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 2013; 86(8): 943–955

 

Tags cancer evidence based practice exposure limits hazardous substances prescribed diseases

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2014 (vol. 10/6) pp18