Potassium dichromate

Evaluation of dichromate with regard to the effect of allergy on the reduction of earning capacity:

Dichromates (chromium VI compounds) are the most important chromium compounds in terms of allergy because of their often good water solubility and good penetration through the epidermis.

Relevant occupational exposures:

• Building industry: working with cement, mortar and concrete. By far the most common source of occupational chromate sensitisation is handling wet cement. Overall, cements and products containing chromate are still so widespread that this profession must be considered closed to a person with chromate allergy.
• Leather industry: tanning. Chromium VI is found in 16% of leather products, especially in gloves, rucksacks, bags, shoes
• Metalworking: electroplating, chromium plating, chromating, electrolytic plating, handling of anticorrosive agents, welding fumes during welding of chromium-steel alloys, foundry (moulding sand), automotive industry (anticorrosive agents, paints).
• Woodworking industry: wood preservatives containing chromate are of decreasing importance, but are still found in the industrial sector.
• Paint and varnish industry: Chromium pigments have a strongly decreasing importance.
• In summary, the most important occupational groups are: concrete workers, paint and varnish manufacturers, dyers, fireworks manufacturers, tilers, galvanisers, tanners, engravers, woodworkers, ceramics manufacturers, leather processors, bricklayers, metalworkers, fur workers, welders, tape recorders, chrome plating.

Effect of an allergy: For a person highly sensitized to chromates, all the above professions are considered closed. In such a case, the effects of an allergy must be considered "serious". The clinical suspicion of a high degree of sensitization can be confirmed by epicutaneous testing with a dilution series. If the sensitisation is not so pronounced in the individual case that even contact with a few ppm chromate leads to a relapse of the allergic contact eczema, the effect can be classified as "moderate".

Caution! The wearing of chrome-tanned leather gloves or safety shoes must be taken into account as indirect occupational exposures in numerous other activities!

1. Diepgen TL et al. (2005) Evidence-based assessment of the effect of type IV allergies in the reduction of earning capacity - assessment of occupational skin diseases. Dermatologist 56: 207-223
2. Diepgen TL, Dickel H, Becker D, Blome O, Geier J, Schmidt A, Schwanitz HJ, Skudlik C, Wagner E, for the working group "Evaluation of allergens in BK 5101" of the ABD in the DDG (2002) Assessment of the effect of allergies in the reduction of earning capacity in the context of BK 5101. Part I: Acrylates/methacrylates, epoxy resin systems, formaldehyde, dichromate, rosin, latex, nickel, p-phenylenediamine. Dermatol Occupation Environment 50: 139-154
3. Geier J, Lessmann H, Becker D, Dickel H, John SM, Mahler V, Rogosky E, Skudlik C, Wagner E, Weisshaar E, Diepgen TL, for the working group "Evaluation of allergens in BK 5101" of the Working Group for Occupational and Environmental Dermatology in the German Dermatological Society (2008) Formaldehyde separators. [Formaldehyde releasers]. Dermatol Occupation Environment 56: 34-36