STUDY TO INVESTIGATE HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IN EXHALED BREATH CONDENSATE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study to investigate hexavalent chromium in exhaled breath condensate as a potential biological matrix to assess occupational exposure.
IRAS ID
154735
Contact name
Elizabeth Leese
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Health & Safety Laboratory
Research summary
Chromium is an element whose compounds exhibit different levels of toxicity. Trivalent chromium is regarded as non-toxic, and considered an essential nutritional element to humans, where as hexavalent chromium is considered toxic and defined as carcinogenic to humans.
Speciation means that these two different compounds of chromium can be separated and individually measured at the same time in the same sample.
Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium is primarily through the inhalation of dusts, fumes and mists. The types of occupational activity where this type of hexavalent chromium exposure occurs are welding and smelting, stainless steel production, cutting and finishing and electroplaters.
Currently hexavalent chromium cannot be analysed in a urine sample because once exposed the body reduces toxic hexavalent chromium to the non-toxic trivalent chromium. At present the measurement of all chromium species as "total chromium" in a urine sample is the only available method of monitoring workers exposed to hexavalent chromium. Whilst this is a practical approach it is not ideal, it can make extrapolations to workplace exposures difficult, and an alternative method of monitoring would provide a more detailed exposure assessment.
A possible biological sample matrix to measure workplace exposure could be exhaled breath condensate (EBC). We believe that exhaled breath condensate (EBC) offers the potential to evaluate hexavalent chromium after occupational exposure through inhalation before the body reduces it to trivalent chromium.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1273
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion