Exceptional pharmacokinetics of trivalent chromium during occupational exposure to chromium lignosulfonate dust.

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Abstract
The excretion of Cr in the urine of workers exposed to chromium lignosulfonate was studied. The Cr in the dust was in the Cr3+ oxidation state, and 30% of the particles were < 5 .mu.m in diameter. Chromium (III) lignosulfonate dust was rapidly absorbed, and a peak of urinary excretion was seen immediately after exposure. No appreciable accumulation of Cr occurred over 3 days, as evaluated by comparison with preshift urinary Cr concentrations. The addition of EDTA to the urine of exposed persons greatly enhanced the capacity of Cr to traverse a dialysis membrane; the same effect was seen with chromium (III) chloride. Apparently, chromium (III) lignosulfonate yielded Cr3+, which acted pharmacokinetically like water-soluble Cr6+ compounds.