Harm of chromium exceeding the standard to health

Chromium and its compounds are widely used in chemical industry, electroplating, printing and dyeing industries. It often pollutes air, water sources and crops in the form of dust, steam and waste water, so the harm of chromium exceeding the standard to human beings can not be ignored. The harm of chromium to human body is mainly caused by hexavalent chromium compounds. Chromium alcohol and chromium alkoxide are aqueous solutions of soluble hexavalent chromium oxide, which are toxic, irritating and corrosive. Chromium can be absorbed through the skin. It is reported that chromic acid can be used to treat warts or burn hemorrhoids and cause poisoning. Chromium can affect the process of oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis in vivo. Too much chromium can denature protein, precipitate nucleic acid and nucleoprotein, and interfere with enzyme system. Chromium is also a common sensitizer. The symptoms of chromic acid and chromate poisoning are dysphagia, burning sensation in the upper abdomen, diarrhea, bloody stool, severe shock, cyanosis and dyspnea, and infants have central nervous system symptoms.

Animal experiments have proved that lead chromate, zinc chromate and sodium dichromate are carcinogenic. In the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan and other industrialized countries, epidemiological surveys have confirmed that the incidence of lung cancer among workers who produce dichromate from chromium mines is very high, which is called "chromium lung cancer".

Because trivalent chromium has little toxicity and the absorption rate of inorganic chromium salt is very low, there is no report of oral trivalent chromium poisoning. Chromium poisoning refers to human poisoning caused by hexavalent chromium pollution. For example, workers who have been engaged in chromate industrial production for a long time are prone to skin ulcers, contact dermatitis and skin cancer. Long-term inhalation of human chromate dust can induce lung cancer. Stomatitis and gingivitis can also occur when chromium poisoning occurs.

At present, there is no specific treatment for chromium poisoning, which is usually symptomatic treatment. We should strengthen dietary nutrition and increase fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid); Others think that eating a lot of sugar can increase the excretion of chromium in urine. When vitamin B 12 is used to treat pernicious anemia, folic acid (also a vitamin) must be given at the same time, which can further improve the curative effect.

Clinical use of vitamin B 12 generally does not lead to chromium poisoning. When using therapeutic dose of chromium salt (chromium chloride), poisoning may occur due to excessive chromium intake. Often manifested as skin flushing or inflammation, retrosternal pain, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus and nervous deafness; Polycythemia can also occur, which can lead to cyanosis, coma and even death.

Chronic chromium poisoning is mostly caused by drinking beer containing too much chromium. It is characterized by acidosis, heart failure and shock. In addition, excessive application of chromium salt can also cause goiter and myocarditis. Dermatitis will occur after skin contact with cobalt compounds, while air inhalation will cause trachea and lung diseases.

At present, there is no specific treatment for acute and chronic chromium poisoning, and it is often treated according to the symptoms of metal poisoning, such as timely gastric lavage, oral administration of soybean milk, milk or egg white, taking cysteine containing sulfhydryl groups, adjusting the balance of water and electrolyte to correct acidosis, and increasing the intake of protein and vitamin C in the diet.