NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

Chromium metal

CAS
7440-47-3

Cr

RTECS
GB4200000
Synonyms & Trade Names

Chrome, Chromium
DOT ID & Guide

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL: TWA 0.5 mg/m3 See Appendix C
OSHA PEL*: TWA 1 mg/m3 See Appendix C [*Note: The PEL also applies to insoluble chromium salts.]
IDLH
250 mg/m3 (as Cr) See: 7440473
Conversion
Physical Description
Blue-white to steel-gray, lustrous, brittle, hard, odorless solid.
MW: 52.0
BP: 4788°F
MLT: 3452°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 7.14
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but finely divided dust burns rapidly if heated in a flame.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Strong oxidizers (such as hydrogen peroxide), alkalis
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 7024, 7300, 7301, 7303, 9102; OSHA ID121, ID125G
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
(See protection)
Skin: No recommendation
Eyes: No recommendation
Wash skin: No recommendation
Remove: No recommendation
Change: No recommendation

First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH
Up to 2.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.*
Up to 5 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.*
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*
Up to 12.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*
(APF = 25) Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.*
Up to 25 mg/m3:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and a high-efficiency particulate filter*
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Up to 250 mg/m3:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters./Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Important additional information about respirator selection
Exposure Routes
inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
Irritation eyes, skin; lung fibrosis (histologic)
Target Organs
Eyes, skin, respiratory system
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0029   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0052