chemical information
CAS RN:
7440-47-3
Chemical Class:
Found in these people:
not found
Found in these locations:
not found
Summary
Heavy metals are age old industrial toxins that cause multiple impacts to human health. Most heavy metals impact several body systems. Lead and mercury are highly toxic to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system, and immune system. (ATSDR 1999; ATSDR 1999) Many are probable or known carcinogens. (NTP 2002) Scientific research is beginning to question the role that a lifetime of metals exposure may play in degenerative diseases of aging like Parkinsons and Alzheimers. (Zawia 2005)
Unlike many other chemicals detected in the human body, much more is known about the toxic effects of heavy metal exposures, sources of exposure to the chemical, and typical concentrations in modern populations. However, despite this knowledge, millions of Americans suffer from chronic exposures to heavy metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. The CDC recently reported 10% of American women of childbearing age (7 million women each year) have mercury in their blood at levels that the are potentially unsafe for the developing fetus. (NAS 2000).
People are exposed to heavy metals via many common sources: house paint (lead), dental fillings (mercury), vaccines (mercury), cigarettes (cadmium), food, drinking water and hazardous waste sites.
Blood measurements of heavy metals are often a snapshot of what the body has been exposed to within the last month or so. The human body removes half of any given mercury exposure within about two months. However, when mercury reaches the brain, it can be transformed into inorganic mercury and reside in the brain for much longer. Lead is stored in the bone for years, and remobilized into the bloodstream during pregnancy. Mercury in the blood of pregnant women accumulates in higher concentrations in her developing child. (ATSDR 1999)
Chromium
The toxicity of chromium depends on its form. Chromium VI causes cancer and is toxic to the kidneys, liver, lungs and skin.
Chromium has been found in 0 of the 9 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.
Top health concerns for Chromium (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Cancer | strong |
Other health concerns for Chromium (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | strong |
| Reproduction and fertility | unknown |
| Kidney and renal system | strong |
| Hematologic (blood) system | limited |
| Respiratory system | strong |
| Brain and nervous system | moderate |
| Skin | strong |
| Gastrointestinal (including liver) | moderate |
| Musculoskeletal system | limited |
| Birth defects and developmental delays | unknown |
| Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people | probable |
| Wildlife and environment | probable |
| Sense organs | limited |
Violations, restrictions, and warnings for Chromium (References)
Unsafe for use in cosmetics, Canada
Other relevant risk considerations for Chromium (References)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity
Results for Chromium
in urine
Showing results from EWG/Commonweal Study #1, industrial chemicals and pesticides in adults
EWG/Commonweal results
- found in 0 of 9 people in the group
Detailed toxicity classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| A1 - Confirmed human carcinogen, ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygeinists) | Amer Conf of Gov't Industrial Hygienists - Carcinogens |
| Potential asthmagen, according to the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) | Assoc of Occupational and Environmental Clinics - Asthmagens |
| Prohibited from use in Canadian cosmetics | Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist |
| Limited evidence in humans: reproductive system toxicity; Condition: abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count); Organs/tissues affected: testes | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Acute tubular necrosis - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Adult-onset Leukemias * - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Asthma - allergic - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Autoimmune antibodies (positive ANA, anti-DNA, RF, etc.) - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Bladder cancer - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Brain cancer (adult)* - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Chronic renal disease - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Contact dermatitis - Irritant - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Esophageal cancer - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Immune suppression * - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Nasal polyps - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Nasal septal perforation - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Pancreatic cancer - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Photosensitivity - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Pneumonitis (hypersensitivity) - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Prostate cancer - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Pulmonary fibrosis - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Reduced Fertility - Male (infertility and subfertility) - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Renal (kidney) cancer - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Rhinitis - allergic - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Skin ulceration - Strong | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Soft tissue sarcoma * - Limited | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Stomach cancer - Good | CHE Toxicant and Disease Database |
| Priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act | EPA Water Quality Standards Database |
| ; May cause sensitization by skin contact, with allergic reaction in skin or lungs; May cause asthma; ; The chemical is toxic to the kidneys in the occupational setting; this is a primary toxic effect of the chemical; Bioaccumulative - can build up in the environment, food chain, and people, with the rate of intake exceeding the rate of elimination | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| IARC 3: mixed or limited evidence on human cancer potential (International Agency for Research on Carcinogens) | Inter'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens |
| Toxic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs | EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999) |
| Gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards: suspected | CARB, TAC |
| Reproductive toxicity hazards: suspected | FRAZIER |
| Skin or sense organ toxicity hazards: suspected | HAZMAP, KLAA, LADO, TIMB |
| Kidney toxicity hazards: suspected | HAZMAP, KLAA, MERCK |
| Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected | HAZMAP, NEME |
| Cancer hazards: suspected | HAZMAP, SCDM |
| Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected | EPA-HEN, KLAA, LU, OEHHA-CREL |
| Cancer hazards: recognized | P65-MC |
| Respiratory toxicity hazards: suspected | EPA-HEN |
