Chromium toxicity

Background

• Blue white metal
• Essential in glucose and fat metabolism
• The predominant forms are trivalent (Cr³⁺) and hexavalent (Cr⁶⁺)
• Cr⁶⁺ is a carcinogen
• Uses
  • Chrome platting
  • Component of making stainless steel
  • Used to make cement
  • Welding
  • Joint arthroplasty
  • Coronary artery stents
  • Tanned leather products

Differential Diagnosis

Heavy metal toxicity

• Aluminum toxicity
• Antimony toxicity
• Arsenic toxicity
• Barium toxicity
• Bismuth toxicity
• Cadmium toxicity
• Chromium toxicity
• Cobalt toxicity
• Copper toxicity
• Gold toxicity
• Iron toxicity
• Lead toxicity
• Lithium toxicity
• Manganese toxicity
• Mercury toxicity
• Nickel toxicity
• Phosphorous toxicity
• Platinum toxicity
• Selenium toxicity
• Silver toxicity
• Thallium toxicity
• Tin toxicity
• Zinc toxicity

Evaluation

• BMP
• LFTs
• CBC
• CPK
• EKG

Disposition

• Consult Toxicology or Poison Control Center

References

Bird, S. Chromium. In: Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 9th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2011: 1243-1247