Chromium (VI) Trioxide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance: dark red to purple solid. Danger! Strong oxidizer. Contact with other material may cause a fire. Corrosive. Causes digestive and respiratory tract burns. Causes severe eye and skin burns. Cancer hazard. Sensitizer. Harmful if swallowed. May cause liver and kidney damage. Corrosive to metal. Target Organs: Kidneys, liver, lungs, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, eyes, skin, mucous membranes.

Potential health effects

Eye: May cause irreversible eye injury. Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Skin: May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. May cause irritation with burning pain, itching and redness. May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin. May be absorbed through damaged or abraded skin in harmful amounts. Chronic exposure to water insoluble hexavalent chromium compounds has been shown to be associated with lung cancer and gastrointestinal tract tumors. Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause severe gastrointestinal tract irritation with nausea, vomiting and possible burns. May cause liver and kidney damage. Inhalation: May cause irritation of the respiratory tract with burning pain in the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and pulmonary edema. May cause asthmatic attacks due to allergic sensitization of the respiratory tract. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated inhalation may cause nosebleeds, nasal congestion, erosion of the teeth, perforation of the nasal septum, chest pain and bronchitis. Prolonged or repeated eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause sensitization dermatitis and possible destruction and/or ulceration. Chronic ingestion may cause effects similar to those of acute ingestion. Chronic exposure to water insoluble hexavalent chromium compounds has been shown to be associated with lung cancer and gastrointestinal tract tumors.