How dangerous is exposure to chromium-6?

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The discussion centers around the safety concerns related to pastels containing hexavalent chromium (chromium-6). Users express caution regarding the toxicity of this chemical, particularly its potential cancer risk. One participant shares their experience with sodium dichromate, emphasizing the importance of protective measures like goggles and gloves to prevent inhalation and skin contact. The conversation highlights that while pastels may contain barium chromate, which is less toxic than soluble chromium compounds, fine dust from pastels can still pose a risk when inhaled. Participants agree that standard lab precautions, such as wearing a mask and goggles, are generally sufficient for occasional use. The consensus suggests that while caution is warranted, the regulatory environment ensures that products containing hazardous materials are monitored, reducing the likelihood of severe risks associated with commercially available pastels.
Nimajneb
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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
 
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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:
 
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Good point. So, what would standard lab precautions be? Gloves, mask, goggles?
 
Awesome. Thanks DrDru.
 

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