Original article

Scand J Work Environ Health 1983;9(3):265-271    pdf

https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2410 | Issue date: Jun 1983

Exceptional pharmacokinetics of trivalent chromium during occupational exposure to chromium lignosulfonate dust.

by Kiilunen M, Kivisto H, Ala-Laurila P, Tossavainen A, Aitio A

The excretion of chromium in the urine of workers exposed to chromium lignosulfonate was studied. The chromium in the dust was in the trivalent (III) oxidation state, and 30% of the particles were less than 5 micron in diameter. Chromium (III) lignosulfonate dust was rapidly absorbed, and a peak of urinary excretion was seen immediately after exposure. No appreciable accumulation of chromium occurred over 3 d, as evaluated by comparison with preshift urinary chromium concentrations. The addition of ethylenediaminetetra-acetate to the urine of exposed persons greatly enhanced the capacity of chromium to traverse a dialysis membrane; the same effect was seen with chromium (III) chloride. It is concluded that chromium (III) lignosulfonate yields chromium (III), which acts pharmacokinetically like water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds.