[Serum and erythrocyte chromium distribution and urinary elimination in persons occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) and chromium (III)].

With personal air samplers exposure to hexavalent and trivalent chromium was measured in 17 workers mainly exposed to Cr (VI) and in 7 workers mainly exposed to Cr (III) as basic chromium sulphate. Determination of Cr (VI) in urine of all the subject using a selective technique failed to show detectable amounts and postshift urinary total chromium was found, while urine levels of of workers exposed to chromic sulphate were not related to Cr. (III) air concentrations. Determination of total chromium in serum and red blood cells showed a significant increase of chromium levels in erythrocytes of workers exposed to Cr (VI) while in subjects mainly exposed to Cr (III) an increase of the serum fraction was evidenced. The results demonstrate that Cr (III) is absorbed through the respiratory tract but its kinetics and distribution in the body are different in comparison to Cr (VI) and not adequately monitored by short-term urinary determinations.