Chromic acid

Synonyms

Acide chromique (French); Chromic(VI) acid; Chromium hydrogen oxide; [HSDB] Chromic acid, chromium(VI); [ACGIH] UN1463

Category

Chromium Compounds, Inorganic

Description

CrO3: Dark-red, odorless flakes or powder. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution (H2CrO4); [NIOSH] Dark, red-purple solid; Soluble in water; [ACGIH]

Sources/Uses

Used in electroplating, metal cleaning, leather tanning, and photography; [HSDB]

Comments

Classified as a water-soluble, hexavalent chromium compound; [ACGIH] Chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium may produce evidence of kidney and liver injury. [ATSDR Case Studies # 4] Can cause second and third degree burns on short contact; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Occupational asthma documented in a cement floor worker, plater, and other workers exposed to chromate salt; [Malo] Epidemiological studies of chromate production workers showed increased lung cancer. [IARC] See "Chromium" and linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

0.0002 mg/m3, as Cr(VI), inhalable particulate matter

0.0005 mg/m3, as Cr(VI), inhalable particulate matter

Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.1 mg/m3, as CrO3

15 mg/m3, as Cr(VI)

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: A worker exposed for several days to concentrations of chromic acid mist of about 20 to 30 mg/m3 (equivalent to about 10 to 15 mg Cr(VI)/m3) experienced cough, headache, dyspnea, and substernal pain; the signs persisted for 2 weeks [ILO 1971]. Another man working on the same process was similarly but less severely affected [ILO 1971].

Explanatory Notes

The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "chromic acid, solution."

Reference Link #2

will not burn

Yes

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Skin burns

Established

Human carcinogen

Confirmed Human

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asthma, occupational
• Chromium, chronic toxic effect
• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Acid and Alkali Cleaning of Metals
• Electroplating
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Photographic Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Textile arts