Excessive hexavalent chromium exposure can damage airways and increase cancer risk, while trivalent chromium is less toxic and can cause skin irritation. Chromium poses no risk to the body, but hexavalent chromium can infect water supplies. Short-term exposure can irritate nasal passages and skin, while prolonged exposure can cause ulcers and asthma. Ingestion can lead to organ failure and blindness, and severe cases can cause cancer. Trivalent chromium is essential for the body but can also be toxic in high amounts, causing genetic damage. Patients should consult a doctor before taking chromium supplements.
Chromium toxicity refers to the adverse effects that excessive amounts of chromium can have on a person’s system. Of the types of chromium that are easily accessible in the modern environment, hexavalent chromium is considered the most toxic and harmful to humans. Exposure to hexavalent chromium can severely damage the airways and increase the risk of cancer. Another common form of chromium, trivalent chromium, is significantly less toxic and most often causes maximum skin irritation. High concentrations, however, possess significantly more severe chromium toxicity effects and can cause DNA damage in an individual.
Despite the dangers of chromium toxicity, the metal itself poses no risk to the human body. Metallic chromium is used to create stainless steel alloys used in everyday items such as dining utensils. The creation of chromium plating, however, can result in the formation of harmful hexavalent chromium, which can infect water supplies as industrial waste. Hexavalent chromium is the root cause of most cases of chromium toxicity.
Short-term exposure to hexavalent chromium can irritate the nasal passages and skin, systemic poisoning, and damage to internal organs, especially the liver and kidneys. Prolonged exposure tends to create ulcers in the nasal septum, possibly perforating it and causing serious damage to the respiratory system. Victims of chromium toxicity can develop asthma. Hexavalent chromium can also burn the skin if not removed immediately, as well as delay the healing process.
Ingestion of hexavalent chromium eventually causes liver and kidney function to stop, which can lead to death. In cases where an individual’s eyes are exposed to chromium, organs can suffer irreparable damage, resulting in blindness. In severe cases of chromium toxicity, exposure to the substance can lead to the development of cancer.
Trivalent chromium, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring substance that offers a number of health benefits in certain amounts. The mineral plays a role in the metabolism of sugars and fats and is considered essential for the proper functioning of the body. Chromium deficiency can result in severe weight loss, neurological damage, and impaired glucose tolerance. To treat the condition and prevent its development, doctors often prescribe chromium supplements.
Research has shown, however, that an overdose of chromium can also have toxic effects on your system. Elevated levels of trivalent chromium in human cells can damage the genetic structure of the cell, resulting in a large number of potential health risks for the patient. Experts recommend that all patients consult a doctor before supplementing with chromium.
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