Hazard routes: inhalation, skin contact, etc.

At present, there is no scientific evidence that hexavalent chromium will be an edible carcinogen, because hexavalent chromium will be converted into harmless trivalent chromium in gastric acid.

(1) On the skin

Skin damage caused by direct contact with chromium compounds

(1) chrome skin ulcer (chrome sore)

Chromium compounds do not damage intact skin, but when skin is worn and comes into contact with chromium compounds, they can cause harm. The incidence of chronic skin ulcer is high, which is mainly related to contact time, skin allergy and personal hygiene habits. Chrome sore mainly occurs in hands, arms and feet, but it can happen anywhere as long as the skin is damaged. Nail roots are exposed places, which are easy to accumulate dirt, and the skin is most likely to be damaged, so these parts are also easy to form chrome sores. Before the formation of chrome sores, the skin will initially appear red, swollen and itchy, and if it is not properly treated, it can invade the deep layer. The ulcer surface is covered with a hard scab with secretion, the periphery is raised, the center is deep and full of carrion, the edge is obvious, it is gray-red, and it hurts locally. The ulcer part is inverted cone, and the ulcer surface is small, generally less than 3mm, sometimes as large as 12-30 mm, or as small as a needle tip. If the treatment is neglected, it can go deep into the bone, with severe pain and slow healing.

(2) Chronic dermatitis and eczema

Exposure to hexavalent chromium can also cause chronic dermatitis and eczema, and the affected skin will itch and form blisters. Dermatitis can occur after several days of skin allergy exposure to chromium pollutants. The allergic period of chromium lasts for 3-6 months. Eczema often occurs in exposed parts such as hands and forearms, occasionally in feet, ankles, and even in face and back.

(2) For respiratory tract

(1) Pigmented rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis is the common occupational disease of respiratory system exposed to chromium salt. The early symptoms of this disease are nasal mucosa congestion, swelling, dry nose, itching, bleeding, decreased sense of smell, increased mucus secretion, frequent sneezing and so on. Then the nasal septum erupted. The eruption site is generally at the anterior and posterior end of nasal septal cartilage 1.5cm, and there is no obvious pain.

According to the degree of ulcer and perforation, chronic rhinitis can be divided into three stages:

1. Erosive rhinitis, nasal septum mucosa rotten, with gray spots.

2. Ulcerative rhinitis, thinning of nasal septum, concave defect of nasal mucosa, thick scab covering on the surface, pale nasal mucosa and obvious decline of sense of smell.

3. The nasal septum is perforated, and triangular holes are formed in the cartilage of the nasal septum. There is yellow scab at the perforation, nasal mucosa atrophy and nasal cavity dryness.

(3) For eyes and ears

The contact of eyelid and cornea with chromium compounds may cause irritation and ulcer, such as conjunctival congestion, foreign body sensation, tingling and tearing, visual impairment and so on, and even lead to corneal epithelial shedding in severe cases.

Ulcer caused by corrosion of eardrum and external ear by chromium compounds only happens occasionally.

(4) For gastrointestinal tract

Ingestion of hexavalent chromium compounds can lead to thickening of oral mucosa, edema forming yellow scab, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes bloody, severe abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, severe circulatory failure, unconsciousness and even death.

(5) systemic poisoning

This kind of situation is rare, and the symptoms are: headache, emaciation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, liver failure, kidney damage, monocytic blood cells, elevated blood calcium and phosphorus.