The toxicity of chromium in the zero and trivalent form.

There are distinct differences between the results obtained from human studies and those from experimental animals. In human beings there was seen no acute and long-term toxicity of ingested chromium in the zero and trivalent form. There are some difficulties in the evaluation of inhaled dusts-consisting of these compounds, probably due to other contaminating agents that caused pneumoconiosis and reduced lung function at few working places. It was seen no irritative dermal effects. But there may exist a risk from sensitation by trivalent chromium, especially by chromium liberated from corrosions or failures of metal - to metal prostheses. No genotoxicity and also no carcinogenicity was observed in human subjects. Summarizing these facts, it must be stated that till now there is no risk from environmental and occupational contamination by these compounds for men, except for patients with lont-term metal prostheses.