Review of carcinogenicity of hexavalent chrome and proposal of revising approval standards for an occupational cancers in Korea

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to suggest revised recognition standards for occupational disease due to chromium (VI) by reflecting recent domestic and international research works and considering domestic exposure status with respect to target organs, exposure period, and cumulative exposure dose in relation to the chromium (VI)-induced occupational disease compensation.MethodsIn this study, the reports published by major international institutions such as World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2012), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2006), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2013), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (2004), National Toxicology Program (NTP) (2014), and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) (2012) were reviewed and the recent research works searched by PubMed were summarized.ResultsConsidering the recent research works and the domestic situation, only lung cancer is conserved in the legislative bill in relation to chromium (VI), and the exposure period is not included in the bill. Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer was excluded from the list of cancers that are compensated as the chromium (VI)- induced occupational disease, while lung cancer remains in the list. In the view of legislative unity, considering the fact that only the cancers having sufficient evidence are included in the conventional list of cancers compensated as occupational disease, nasal and paranasal sinus cancer having limited evidence were excluded from the list.The exposure period was also removed from the legislative bill due to the insufficient evidence. Recent advices in connection with cumulative exposure dose were proposed, and other considerable points were provided with respect to individual occupational relevance.ConclusionsIt is suggested that the current recognition standard which is “Lung cancer or nasal and paranasal sinus cancer caused by exposure to chromium (VI) or compounds thereof (exposure for two years or longer), or nickel compounds” should be changed to “Lung cancer caused by exposure to chromium (VI) or compounds thereof, and lung cancer or nasal and paranasal sinus cancer caused by exposure to nickel compounds”.

Biomonitoring of Trace Elements in Subjects Living Near a Hazardous Waste Incinerator: Concentrations in Autopsy Tissues

“…However, the increase was only significant in kidney and bone. It must be recalled that Cr is a highly toxic metal, being one of the chemical forms (Cr 6+ ) fully recognized as carcinogenic [23,24]. On the other hand, the mean Pb levels in autopsy tissues were significantly lower in 2019 than in 1998, with the only exception of kidney, an organ where Pb could not be detected in the baseline survey.…”

The Effect of Hexavalent Chromium on the Incidence and Mortality of Human Cancers: A Meta-Analysis Based on Published Epidemiological Cohort Studies

“…The associations were strong and robust for lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma, but not for larynx cancer and nasal cancers. Kim et al suggested that there was no strong evidence of an association of Cr(VI) with nasal and paranasal cancers (60). However, in 2015, Binazzi et al conducted a meta-analysis of risk ratios in 28 studies (11 cohort, 17 case-control) and suggested that sinonasal cancer was associated with exposure to nickel and chromium compounds (61).…”

Chromium Monitoring in Water by Colorimetry Using Optimised 1,5-Diphenylcarbazide Method

“…Cr III, at appropriate levels, is beneficial for human health and is involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, whereas Cr VI is toxic [14,15]. Health problems associated with Cr VI exposure include skin rashes, kidney and liver damage, internal haemorrhage, teeth abnormalities, and respiratory ailments, including lung cancer [16,17,18,19].…”