Biological Monitoring for Chromium Exposures in the Workplace

抄録

The main objective of this study was to assess chromium exposure and to promote understanding of biological monitoring. Workplace activities observed involved production in a leather tannery. The urine Cr and serum Cr level in the specimens of non-occupational controls and occupational workers were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). This technique includes a dilution of serum with 12 mM ultra nitric acid and 1% Triton X-100. The results showed that total serum Cr levels in the exposed occupational workers were significantly higher than those in unexposed non-occupational controls (p<0.05), and that there is a risk of chromium poisoning to the workers engaged in leather tannery worksites. The total urine Cr levels in the exposed workers were no different than in controls (p>0.05). The etiology of chromate poisoning is also briefly mentioned.