A03_Outline of occupational health study on worker’s exposure to chromium

Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is one of the priority substances under HBM4EU. It is one of the most important occupational carcinogens, which has been shown to cause lung cancer in humans. It is currently an issue in EU since Cr(VI) compounds are authorized under Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Occupational exposure limit values were set in several countries and the Commission has published a proposal to set a binding limit value for Cr(VI) under the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD). However no human biomonitoring guidance have been adopted under CMD, although biomonitoring can support the exposure assessment under both REACH and CMD since it gives information on the real intakes. The principal biomarker used for the biomonitoring of Cr(VI) exposure at the workplace is urinary (total) chromium. However, the main problem with this biomarker is that it is not specific for Cr(VI) since it measures exposure both to trivalent and Cr(VI). Therefore, it seems important to develop more specific biomarkers for Cr(VI). These new, more specific markers include Cr in red blood cells and Cr(VI) in exhaled air condensates.
The objectives of this study is to give a more accurate picture on Cr(VI) exposure by using specific biomarkers for Cr(VI) exposure and to study correlation between biomarkers in different matrices. Potentially exposed workers and controls from companies performing chrome plating, surface treatment with chromates or stainless steel welding will be recruited. The study will take place in 9 countries in Europe.
Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is one of the priority substances under HBM4EU. It is one of the most important occupational carcinogens, which has been shown to cause lung cancer in humans. It is currently an issue in EU since Cr(VI) compounds are authorized under Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Occupational exposure limit values were set in several countries and the Commission has published a proposal to set a binding limit value for Cr(VI) under the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD). However no human biomonitoring guidance have been adopted under CMD, although biomonitoring can support the exposure assessment under both REACH and CMD since it gives information on the real intakes. The principal biomarker used for the biomonitoring of Cr(VI) exposure at the workplace is urinary (total) chromium. However, the main problem with this biomarker is that it is not specific for Cr(VI) since it measures exposure both to trivalent and Cr(VI). Therefore, it seems important to develop more specific biomarkers for Cr(VI). These new, more specific markers include Cr in red blood cells and Cr(VI) in exhaled air condensates.
The objectives of this study is to give a more accurate picture on Cr(VI) exposure by using specific biomarkers for Cr(VI) exposure and to study correlation between biomarkers in different matrices. Potentially exposed workers and controls from companies performing chrome plating, surface treatment with chromates or stainless steel welding will be recruited. The study will take place in 9 countries in Europe.