I recently wrote an article about New Guidance To Help Small Businesses Comply With Hexavalent Chromium Requirements.  Then the questions came in, What really is hexavalent chromium and what are they used for?  As a chem minor in college, I hope I can shed some light.

OSHA defines hexavalent chromium as “Chromium hexavalent (CrVI) compounds, often called hexavalent chromium, exist in several forms. Chromates are often used as pigments for photography, and in pyrotechnics, dyes, paints, inks, and plastics. They can also be used for stainless steel production, textile dyes, wood preservation, leather tanning, and as anti-corrosion coatings.”NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens.  In addition there is a whole list of other potential affects to humans.Remember the  academy award-winning movie Erin Brockovich?  The residents of Hinckley, California suffered from the effects of hexavalent chromium in the water.  This stuff is bad, but it is used in many industries.  Safety professionals need to make sure every     precaution is taken to protect the worker and the environment