Increased chromium in blood and urine is considered an indicator of the most reliable exposure. Exposure to chromium can increase chromium concentration in the blood (whole blood, serum, and erythrocytes), urine, hair, and nails. They can also be used to evaluate the intensity and duration of exposure, the effectiveness of control measures and the symptoms at early stage of diseases.Ĭhromium in blood and urine has been used as a biomarker of environmental exposure.

Biomarkers are the observable indicators in a chain of events caused by exposure to environmental factors.

Biomarkers indicate the presence of chemical elements affecting the biological mechanisms of living systems. The 8-h exposure limit to Cr (VI) according to OSHA and NIOSH are 5 and 0.2 μg/m 3, respectively. Ĭoncerning the irritant effects and the potential carcinogenicity of chromium (VI), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has suggested a (TLV-TWA) of 0.2 μg/m 3 for inhalation exposure to soluble Cr 6+ compounds. Inhaled chromium will go into the lungs and the bloodstream or absorbed through the blood, transported to the kidneys, and eventually excreted through the urine. Chromium (Cr) on the metal plating has the potency to contaminate the working environment and endanger the health of workers due to exposure to Cr (VI), which is primarily through of inhalation can cause effect such as impairment of respiratory, liver, kidney, and cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified chromium (VI) compounds as carcinogen to human. Occupational exposures to soluble hexavalent chromium (Cr 6+) has been known to cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum, bronchitis, asthma, liver and kidney damage and dermatitis in exposed workers. Chromium is widely used in metal plating or electroplating to create a metal surface that is hard and beautiful and prevent corrosion. Keywordsīiological monitoring Biomarker BreathingĬhromium (Cr) is a heavy metal usually found at the workplace environment and industrial wastewater of metal processing sites, plating industries, painting industries, textile, leather tanneries, and many more. The obtained results indicated that the determination of urine chromium content can be considered as an appropriate biomarker for biological monitoring of workers particularly for recent chromium exposure assessment. After regression analysis statistically significant correlation was obtained between airborne chromium VI in worker’s breathing zones and chromium in urine samples (e.g. The average of increasing chromium concentration in end of workweek urine samples (8.67 ± 3.97 μg/L) was significantly higher than the average of end of shift samples (4.11 ± 2.57 μg/L). The average of chromium VI in worker’s breathing zones was obtained (16.90 ± 23.11 μg/m 3). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18 software. For this purpose 92 urine samples were collected and analyzed by atomic absorption method equipped with graphite furnace. For biological monitoring total chromium in urine was measured using WHO method, also this method has been recommended by ATSDR. Air sampling from breathing zones was conducted by personal sampling method and further personal exposures to chromium VI was calculated as Time-Weighted Average (TWA) values. For measurement of chromium (VI) concentration 69 air samples were collected by filtration technique and collected samples were analyzed using NIOSH method 7600.

In chromium plating, different airborne concentrations of chromium (VI) can be released into the breathing zone of workers. The aim of this research was to investigate the correlation between chromium (VI) concentration in the breathing zone of workers and total chromium in urine specimens as a biomarker of exposure in chromium electroplating workers.

Breathing zone concentration