The anhydrous form exists as yellow crystals or a crystalline powder (Ashford, 1994; ITI, 1995).

The tetrahydrate form exists as yellow, slightly efflorescent, crystals (Ashford, 1994; Budavari, 2000; Lewis, 2001; ITI, 1995).

The tetrahydrate crystals are also described as being somewhat deliquescent (Budavari, 2000; Lewis, 2001).

The decahydrate form exists as translucent, efflorescent, yellow crystals. It loses water easily (is unstable with respect to water content) (Budavari, 2000; ITI, 1995; Lewis, 2001).

The principle impurities found in sodium chromate consist of chlorides and sulfates (HSDB , 2002).

An oxidizing atmosphere is necessary to convert the chromium to a hexavalent state; temperatures of approximately 1,100 degrees C are recommended if rotary furnaces are used (ILO , 1998).

The following treatment recommendations are for Chromium Compounds in general.

INHALATION: Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with an inhaled beta2-adrenergic agonist. Consider systemic corticosteroids in patients with significant bronchospasm.

Monitor for respiratory distress for 72 hours.

Obtain baseline chest x-ray and vital signs.

Acute lung injury may require PEEP and short-term steroid therapy.

DECONTAMINATION: Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry and place them in plastic bags. Wash exposed areas with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes with gentle sponging to avoid skin breakdown. A physician may need to examine the area if irritation or pain persists (Burgess et al, 1999).

Ascorbic acid topically for skin exposure has been recommended for acute chromate poisoning. Ascorbic acid reduces Cr+6 to Cr+3, thus decreasing toxicity. The efficacy of this practice in humans is not proven. Animal studies have shown that to be effective ascorbic acid should be administrated as soon as possible after exposure. Repeated application of a 10% topical ascorbic acid solution has been recommended for dermal exposures. This therapy is of unproved benefit.

DECONTAMINATION: Remove contact lenses and irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature 0.9% saline or water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist after 15 minutes of irrigation, the patient should be seen in a healthcare facility.

Intravenous injection of ascorbic acid (1 gram per 0.135 gram of elemental chromium) has been recommended for systemic exposure. No studies are available which demonstrate a reduction in morbidity or mortality. In rat studies, ascorbic acid administration two hours post ingestion did not prevent renal toxicity and administration three hours post exposure appeared to enhance renal damage. One hypothesis for these outcomes is that by this time Cr+6 is already absorbed. Another concern is that ascorbic acid is metabolized to oxalate. High doses of ascorbic acid may be renal toxic, especially if renal toxicity is already present.

Do not induce vomiting. Activated charcoal has not been evaluated in chromate poisoning.

DILUTION: If no respiratory compromise is present, administer milk or water as soon as possible after ingestion. Dilution may only be helpful if performed in the first seconds to minutes after ingestion. The ideal amount is unknown; no more than 8 ounces (240 mL) in adults and 4 ounces (120 mL) in children is recommended to minimize the risk of vomiting.

HYPOTENSION: Infuse 10 to 20 mL/kg isotonic fluid. If hypotension persists, administer dopamine (5 to 20 mcg/kg/min) or norepinephrine (ADULT: begin infusion at 0.5 to 1 mcg/min; CHILD: begin infusion at 0.1 mcg/kg/min); titrate to desired response.

Monitor volume status, hematocrit, and platelet count.

1 : The agent (mixture) is carcinogenic to humans. The exposure circumstance entails exposures that are carcinogenic to humans. This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Exceptionally, an agent (mixture) may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent (mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity.

10 (4.54)

MEXICO:

ARGENTINA:

BRAZIL:

COLUMBIA:

CANADA:

UNITED STATES:

TEEL-0: The threshold concentration below which most people will experience no adverse health effects.

TEEL-1: The airborne concentration (expressed as ppm [parts per million] or mg/m(3) [milligrams per cubic meter]) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic, nonsensory effects. However, these effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure.

TEEL-2: The airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m(3)) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience irreversible or other serious, long-lasting, adverse health effects or an impaired ability to escape.

TEEL-3: The airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m(3)) of a substance above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience life-threatening adverse health effects or death.

The anhydrous form exists as yellow crystals or a crystalline powder (Ashford, 1994; ITI, 1995).

The tetrahydrate form exists as yellow, slightly efflorescent, crystals (Ashford, 1994; Budavari, 2000; Lewis, 2001; ITI, 1995).

The tetrahydrate crystals are also described as being somewhat deliquescent (Budavari, 2000; Lewis, 2001).

The decahydrate form exists as translucent, efflorescent, yellow crystals. It loses water easily (is unstable with respect to water content) (Budavari, 2000; ITI, 1995; Lewis, 2001).

3.44 g/L methanol (at 25 degrees C) (HSDB , 2002)