NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

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) 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; OSHA ID121, ID125G
Personal Protection & Sanitation
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 dust and mist respirator*
Up to 5 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any dust and mist respirator except single-use and quarter-mask respirators*/(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 dust and mist filter*
Up to 25 mg/m3: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/(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 a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
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