Hexavalent chromium standard: What's it all about?

Citation

(2006), "Hexavalent chromium standard: What's it all about?", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 53 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2006.12853dab.007

Hexavalent chromium standard: What's it all about?

Hexavalent chromium standard: What's it all about?

Keywords: Standards, Chemicals

Here is a little trivia question. What chemical was featured in the movie, Erin Brockovich? Need a hint? Look at the title of this paper. That is right! It is hexavalent chromium, or Cr(VI) for short. This same chemical is regulated by OSHA (effective May 30, 2006), and has its own substance-specific requirements at 29 CFR 1910.1026. The new regulation aims to protect the 558,000 American workers exposed to Cr(VI). The chemical is widely used in the chemical industry as ingredients and catalysts in pigments, metal plating, and chemical synthesis. Cr(VI) can also be produced when welding on stainless steel or Cr(VI)-painted surfaces. The major health effects associated with exposure to Cr(VI) include: lung cancer, nasal septum ulcerations and perforations, skin ulcerations, and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Let us take a brief look at the components of the Cr(VI) Standard:

• Scope. The standard applies to occupational exposures to Cr(VI) in all forms and compounds in general industry, except: exposures related to certain pesticide applications, exposures to portland cement, and uses that are supported by data showing that Cr(VI) cannot be released in concentrations at or above 0.5 μg/m3 as an 8h time- weighted average (TWA).

• Definitions. Like many standards, this standard has several definitions that can be helpful in understanding the requirements.

• Permissible exposure limit (PEL). The employer must ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of Cr(VI) in excess of 5 μg/m3 of air, calculated as an 8 h TWA.

• Exposure determination. Each employer with occupational exposures to Cr(VI) must determine the 8 h TWA exposure for each exposed employee. This involves monitoring, data analysis, and employee notification.

• Regulated areas. Wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of Cr(VI) is, or can reasonably be expected to be, in excess of the PEL, the employer must establish a regulated area. This includes demarcating the area and limiting access.

• Methods of compliance. With some exceptions, the employer must use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain exposure to or below the PEL.

• Respiratory protection. The employer must provide respiratory protection where engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposures to or below the PEL. The employer must also provide respiratory protection at other times listed in the standard.

• Protective work clothing and equipment. Where a hazard is present or is likely to be present from skin or eye contact with Cr(VI), the employer must provide appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing. Contaminated clothing and equipment must be handled in accordance with the standard.

• Hygiene areas and practices. Change rooms, washing facilities, and eating and drinking areas are required as specified in the standard.

• Housekeeping. The employer must ensure that special cleaning and disposal methods are followed.

• Medical surveillance. For certain employees described in the standard, the employer must make medical surveillance available at no cost to the employee and at a reasonable time and place. Medical surveillance includes medical exams and a written medical opinion.

• Communication of hazards. The employer must provide employee information and training and meet the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.

• Recordkeeping. The employer must maintain air monitoring data, historical monitoring data, and objective data relied upon to comply with the standard. The employer must also keep medical surveillance records.

• Dates. The compliance dates found in the standard are shown in Table I.

Table I