Chromium - Public Health

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Chromium

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Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, and soil. Depending on the form it takes, it can be a liquid, solid, or gas. The most common forms are chromium(0), chromium(III), and chromium(VI).

Chromium(0) is a metal used for making steel. Chromium(VI) and chromium(III) are used for chrome plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and wood preserving.

Exposure to chromium

Anyone can be exposed to chromium by eating food containing chromium (III), breathing contaminated workplace air or skin contact during use in the workplace, drinking contaminated well water, or living near uncontrolled hazardous waste sites containing chromium or industries that use chromium.

U.S. Servicemembers assigned to guard the Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility in Iraq during the spring and summer of 2003 may have been exposed to hexavalent chromium from breathing contaminated sodium dichromate dust.

Health problems associated with exposure to chromium

Concern about health problems and chromium mostly are about chromium(VI). Chromium (VI) has been shown to cause:

Nose irritations and nose bleeds
Allergic reactions, including skin rashes
Respiratory problems such as asthma, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing
Lung cancer

Chromium(III) is an essential nutrient for humans and shortages may cause heart conditions, disruptions of metabolisms and diabetes.

Learn more about chromium and its health effects from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Health concerns?

If you are concerned about health problems associated with exposure to chromium during your military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.

Qarmat Ali Veterans should contact their local OEF/OIF/OND Program Manager to make an appointment to enroll in the VA Qarmat Ali Medical Surveillance Program.

Veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system, find out if you qualify for VA health care.

VA benefits

Veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits and health care benefits for health problems associated with exposure to chromium during military service.