Is Chromium Trioxide compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Chromium Trioxide?

Chromium Trioxide

July 12, 2017 (High Risk)

As chromium (see fact sheet) in trivalent state (3+) and at appropriate doses lacks toxicity and constitutes an essential nutritional trace element, hexavalent (6+) salts of chromium have industrial uses (chromium plating), are oxidants, corrosives, irritants , are classified as 1A carcinogens and 1B mutagens (INSHT 2012, ATSDR 2012), can cause contact dermatitis and severe chronic and acute toxicity.
Chromium 6+ is also found in the combustion smoke of tobacco, in cosmetics (Hepp 2014) and in some osteoarticular prostheses (Oppermann 2015).

Exavalent chromium compounds, because of their dangerous nature, do not currently have medical uses.

At the level of occupational risk for the nursing mother, the phrases (INSHT 2008) of risk (old R phrases, currently Hazard's H sentences, danger) or prudence (P phrases) that should appear in the safety data sheet of a product are only two:
- H362 (ant. R64): "It can harm children fed with breast milk"
- P263: "Avoid contact during pregnancy and lactation"
Three other phrases that should be considered during lactation are related to the carcinogenic, mutagenic or cumulative power of a product:
- H351 (ant. R40): "Possible carcinogenic effects"
- H371 (previous R68): "Possibility of irreversible effects"
- H373 (R33): "Danger of cumulative effects"

Based on the absence of these phrases in the safety sheets of chromium trioxide (Panreac 2012, INSHT 2005), it would not be necessary to remove the nursing mother from her job, and it is enough for the company to comply with the legal requirements of maximum values of environmental exposure and to the worker the recommended rules of prudence (gloves, hand washing, change of clothes, etc. (Panreac 2012).

But according to current European regulations (EC Regulation 2008) when a product is a carcinogen and mutagen, working nursing mothers should not be exposed to mixtures, be they solids, liquids or gases, with concentration limits higher than 0.3%.
In addition, an anomaly results when, being classified as carcinogenic 1A, phrase H351 (R40) is not applied.

In light of all the literature, we believe that the nursing mother should not be exposed to hexavalent chromium compounds in the workplace.


See below the information of this related product:
Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Bichromate of Potash
  • Chromic Acid
  • Chromic Anhydride
  • Potassium Dichromate

Writings

  • CrO3 (Molecular formula)

References

  1. Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo (INSHT). Límites de exposición profesional para agentes químicos en España. 2017 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Oppermann M, Borisch C, Schaefer C. Hip arthroplasty with high chromium and cobalt blood levels--Case report of a patient followed during pregnancy and lactation period. Reprod Toxicol. 2015Abstract
  3. Hepp NM, Mindak WR, Gasper JW, Thompson CB, Barrows JN. Survey of cosmetics for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, and nickel content. J Cosmet Sci. 2014Abstract
  4. Guo L, Xiao Y, Wang Y. Hexavalent chromium-induced alteration of proteomic landscape in human skin fibroblast cells. J Proteome Res. 2013Abstract
  5. ATSDR. Cromo. Resumen de Salud Pública. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  6. INSHT. Listado de compuestos Cancerígenos y Mutágenos categorias 1A y 1B. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  7. ATSDR. Chromium. Public Health Statement. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  8. Panreac. Cromo Ficha de Datos de Seguridad según Reglamento (CE) 1907/2006. 2012 Full text (in our servers)
  9. Goullé JP, Saussereau E, Grosjean J, Doche C, Mahieu L, Thouret JM, Guerbet M, Lacroix C. Accidental potassium dichromate poisoning. Toxicokinetics of chromium by ICP-MS-CRC in biological fluids and in hair. Forensic Sci Int. 2012Abstract
  10. Lin CC, Wu ML, Yang CC, Ger J, Tsai WJ, Deng JF. Acute severe chromium poisoning after dermal exposure to hexavalent chromium. J Chin Med Assoc. 2009Abstract
  11. Patlolla AK, Barnes C, Hackett D, Tchounwou PB. Potassium dichromate induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress in human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009Abstract
  12. Hald M, Agner T, Blands J, Ravn H, Johansen JD. Allergens associated with severe symptoms of hand eczema and a poor prognosis. Contact Dermatitis. 2009Abstract
  13. INSHT. Regulación UE sobre productos químicos (II). Reglamento CLP: aspectos básicos. 2008 Full text (in our servers)
  14. REGLAMENTO (CE) No 1272/2008 DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO de 16 de diciembre de 2008 sobre clasificación, etiquetado y envasado de sustancias y mezclas. Diario oficial de la Unión Europea. 2008 Full text (in our servers)
  15. INSHT. Cromo. Fichas Internacionales de Seguridad Química. 2005 Full text (in our servers)
  16. Mukherjee AB. Chromium in the environment of Finland. Sci Total Environ. 1998Abstract
  17. André N, Paut O, Arditti J, Fabre P, Bremond V, Alhmana T, Bellus JF, Jouglard J, Camboulives J. [Severe potassium dichromate poisoning after accidental nasal introduction]. Arch Pediatr. 1998Abstract
  18. Paustenbach DJ, Hays SM, Brien BA, Dodge DG, Kerger BD. Observation of steady state in blood and urine following human ingestion of hexavalent chromium in drinking water. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1996Abstract
  19. Baranowska-Dutkiewicz B. Absorption of hexavalent chromium by skin in man. Arch Toxicol. 1981Abstract