Half life of chromium in serum and urine in a former plasma cutter of stainless steel. Issue 2 (1st February 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petersen, Rolf; Thomsen, Jane Frølund; Jørgensen, Niels Kjærgaard; Mikkelsen, Sigurd
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 2(2000)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2000-02-01
• Subjects: chromium half life -- plasma cutting -- stainless steel; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.57.2.140
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : For 8 years chromium in serum and urine has been followed up in a former plasma cutter of stainless steel who was exposed to airborne dust and fumes containing chromium during this work. After the first examination for serum chromium the exposure ended. Serum chromium concentration has been measured seven times during the period and was initially very high and has subsequently dropped slowly. The half life was 40 months in serum. Urinary chromium has been measured five times. The half life was 129 months in urine. The study shows that exposure to airborne dust and fumes containing chromium may cause accumulation of chromium in the body, and that when exposure ends, elimination of chromium is very slow. Previous studies suggest that chromium mainly accumulates in the lungs.