How dangerous is exposure to chromium-6?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nimajneb
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    toxicity
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety concerns related to exposure to hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) found in pastels. Participants explore the potential health risks associated with this chemical, particularly in the context of artistic materials and workplace exposure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Benjamin expresses concern about the safety of using pastels containing hexavalent chromium and seeks advice on potential health risks.
  • One participant notes that sodium dichromate, a hexavalent compound, is highly toxic and requires careful handling, including the use of goggles and gloves.
  • Another participant references EU regulations, stating that leather containing chromium-6 is limited to 3 mg/kg, suggesting that pastels may contain higher levels and advising against skin contact.
  • A participant raises concerns about the dust produced by pastels, questioning whether gloves and a surgical mask would provide adequate protection against inhalation risks.
  • There is a suggestion that pastels may contain barium chromate, which is less toxic than soluble chromium-6 compounds, but fine dust could still pose a hazard.
  • One participant downplays the risks, suggesting that standard lab precautions are sufficient and that regulatory measures ensure the safety of consumer products containing chromium compounds.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on what constitutes standard lab precautions for handling such materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding the dangers of chromium-6 exposure, with some advocating for caution and others suggesting that the risks are overstated. There is no consensus on the safety measures required when using pastels containing this compound.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects differing opinions on the toxicity of chromium-6 and the adequacy of safety precautions, highlighting the complexity of assessing risks associated with chemical exposure in artistic materials.

Nimajneb
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hello! I have recently become interested in purchasing some pastels, but I realized they contain a chemical called "Hexavalent chromium" or "chromium-6". I was wondering if this actually poses a threat to my well-being, considering there is a page about it here.

P.S. This may not exactly belong in the Chemistry thread, or even this website, but I was unsure of where to look for advice about this.

Thanks,
Benjamin
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
I have by chance been using Sodium Dichromate at work today, which is hexavalent. It is very toxic, even when dilute, and causes cancer. So I am required to be very careful with goggles, gloves, avoiding inhalation of dust and skin contact.
 
Wikipedia says that leather with CR(VI) which has contact to skin may only contain 3 mg/kg in the EU. I guess there is more within pastels, so you should avoid contact. The highest risk comes with inhalation.
 
Yeah, and with pastels I've heard they rub off a lot of dust, so I don't know if gloves and something like a surgical mask would be enough. I really would rather not expose myself to the risk of cancer
 
I suppose they contain Bariumchromate, which is a yellow pigment. Bariumchromate is insoluble and therefore not as toxic as soluble chromium (VI) compounds.
However, fine powder may still be hazardous when reaching the lung, which requires very fine dust. I don't think you need gloves. If there is really a lot of fine dust, a surgical mask will be ok.
 
I wouldn't worry too much. Yes, Cr(VI) compounds are not something I would keep in the kitchen, at the same time they are not as nasty as they are presented to be. Standard lab precautions are perfectly enough, especially as long as you don't deal with huge amounts of the thing on a daily basis.

Besides, things are so heavily regulated these days you can be sure if the pastels containing chromium compounds were really dangerous, they would be banned and all shops selling them would be long closed by HAZMAT teams :wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Bystander
Good point. So, what would standard lab precautions be? Gloves, mask, goggles?
 
Awesome. Thanks DrDru.
 

Similar threads

Most dangerous chemicals?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
7K
Attempting to better understand Hexavalent Chromium genesis
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Toxic Chemicals Found on old books
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Dangers of Methanol Exposure: Vessel Rupture Risks
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Death toll from radiation exposure wrt. Chernobyl?
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
7K
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) - dangerous plant
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Chemically regenerating my auto's catalytic converter?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
10K
Undergrad How dangerous might my countertops be?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
Schools Graduate school for Materials Engineering? (Electrochemical?)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Can I Improve My Note-Taking Skills for Science and Math Courses?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K