ASTM E848-94(2022)

Standard Guide for Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Water-Insoluble Chromates

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide includes chromates that are not readily soluble in water and that have water solubilities (Chromate ION) within the range of the more soluble calcium chromate and the much less soluble lead chromate. The major occupations involving potential exposure to insoluble chromates are in roasting of chromite ore, the manufacture of chromate pigments, the manufacture of coatings containing chromate pigments, and spray painting with these coatings. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that trivalent chromium compounds are carcinogenic.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers control procedures for the safe production, storage, transportation, and handling of only the hexavalent chromium compounds found in Table 1 and their various hydrates, and mixtures of coprecipitates of the same regardless of crystalline form.  
1.2 This guide is not intended to cover (a) such “soluble” chromates as chromates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or ammonium; (b) soluble bichromates; (c) chromic acid; (d) volatile chromyl compounds; (e) any trivalent chromium compound; or (f) elemental chromium. Omission of said compounds or classes of compounds should not be construed to mean that they may be handled without due regard to their particular physical, chemical, and toxicological hazards (9, 10, 11).  
1.3 The chromate ion, CrO4−2, depending upon the acidity, complexes to form di-, tri-, and higher polychromates; hence, the chromates listed in Table 1 may contain mixtures of polychromates, depending on the method of isolation and end use.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (For more specific precautionary information see Section 5.)  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2022
• ICS: 13.100 - Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.21 - Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E848 − 94 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational
Exposure to Water-Insoluble Chromates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E848; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Thisguideisintendedtoprovideguidanceinthesafehandlingofcertainchromatecompoundsthat
are suspected to be carcinogenic in man (1-8). Precautions contained herein are believed to protect
against possible carcinogenicity, and will also be sufficient to obviate any acute health hazards except
where skin hypersensitivity is a factor. Other hazards are considered and discussed.
The time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) specified in this guide are
based on studies evaluated by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) (9). Epidemiological studies of the chromate producing industry have indicated that
observed adverse health effects were associated with environmental levels and hygiene procedures
considerably less exacting than those recommended here (see Appendix X1).
Hygiene controls and medical surveillance measures have been chosen to protect workers,
recognizingthatthepotentialforexposurewillvarywidelyfromindustrytoindustryandbetweenone
location and another, depending on the compounds handled, scale of operations, kind of process, and
physical conditions.
The key to maintaining chromate levels below the PELis through implementation of cost effective
engineering controls augmented as necessary by personal protective equipment, or work practice
controls, or both. The choice of methods should depend upon the factors involved in each specific
situation.
Biological monitoring is also recommended for lead chromate (see 7.4).
All applicable federal, state, county and local regulations must be complied with when this guide
is used.
1. Scope compoundsorclassesofcompoundsshouldnotbeconstruedto
mean that they may be handled without due regard to their
1.1 This guide covers control procedures for the safe
particular physical, chemical, and toxicological hazards (9, 10,
production, storage, transportation, and handling of only the
11).
hexavalent chromium compounds found in Table 1 and their
various hydrates, and mixtures of coprecipitates of the same −2
1.3 The chromate ion, CrO , depending upon the acidity,
regardless of crystalline form.
complexes to form di-, tri-, and higher polychromates; hence,
1.2 This guide is not intended to cover (a) such “soluble”
the chromates listed in Table 1 may contain mixtures of
chromates as chromates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or
polychromates, depending on the method of isolation and end
ammonium; (b) soluble bichromates; (c) chromic acid; (d)
use.
volatile chromyl compounds; (e) any trivalent chromium
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
compound; or (f) elemental chromium. Omission of said
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials.
(For more specific precautionary information see Section 5.)
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E848–94(2016).
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
DOI: 10.1520/E0848-94R22.
2 dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
guide. ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E848 − 94 (2022)
TABLE 1 Examples of Some Hexavalent Chromium Compounds
ammonia. The solubilities of lead chromates and calcium
A
Chemical Name Formula Color Index Name chromate are typical of the lower and upper solubilities of the
Barium chromate BaCrO Pigment Yellow 31 class (see Section 6).
Barium potassium chromate BaK (CrO ) Pigment Yellow 31
3 4 2
Basic copper chromate CuCrO Not listed
4. Significance and Use
xCu(OH)
Basic cadmium chromate Cd (OH) CrO Pigment Yellow 44
2 2 4
4.1 This guide includes chromates that are not readily
Basic lead chromate PbCrO PbO Pigment Orange 21
Bismuth basic dichromate Bi O CrO Pigment Red 103
2 3 3 soluble in water and that have water solubilities (Chromate
Calcium chromate CaCrO None assigned
ION) within the range of the more soluble calcium chromate
“Chromic chromate” xCaO yCr O Pigment Yellow 33
2 3
and the much less soluble lead chromate. The major occupa-
(calcium chromate sinter) zCrO Not listed
Ferric chromate Fe (CrO ) Pigment Yellow 45
2 4 3 tionsinvolvingpotentialexposuretoinsolublechromatesarein
Basic ferric chromate Fe(OH)CrO Pigment Yellow 45
roasting of chromite ore, the manufacture of chromate
Lead chromate PbCrO Pigment Yellow 34
pigments, the manufacture of coatings containing chromate
Lead molybdochromate PbCrO PbMoO Pigment Red 104
4 4
Potassium zinc chromate K O 4ano·4Cr4O Pigment Yellow 36
pigments, and spray painting with these coatings. There is
2 3
Strontium chromate SrCrO Pigment Yellow 32
insufficient evidence to conclude that trivalent chromium
Zinc chromate ZnCrO Pigment Yellow 36
compounds are carcinogenic.
A
For Classification, not Toxicology.
5. General Requirements
5.1 Environmental Levels:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1.1 The following guide is designed to protect the health
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and safety of workers for an 8h to 10h workday, 40h
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
workweek, over a working lifetime. The PEL can be met by
techniques and controls that reduce employee exposure below
2. Referenced Documents
the applicable safe limit. These controls must be reliable.
2.1 ANSI Standards:
Permissible exposure limits are based on the 1985 ACGIH
Z87.1Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and
recommended Threshold Limit Values (TLV) for chromates of
Face Protection
lead and zinc and for chromite-ore processing (12).
Z88.2Practices for Respiratory Protection
5.1.2 PEL—Occupational exposure to any of the com-
Z129.1Precautionary Labeling for Hazardous Industrial
pounds listed in Table 1 shall be controlled to a TWA of
Chemicals
0.05mg⁄m (as Chromium) for an 8h workday.
2.2 OSHA Standards:
5.1.3 At least one full-shift (80% of the shift length)
29 CFR 1910.20Access to Records
personalsampleshouldbetakenforeachjobclassificationand
29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication
each work area involving insoluble chromates. These samples
29 CFR 1910.134Respiratory Protection
shallberepresentativeofamonitoredemployee’sregulardaily
29 CFR 1910.1025 Lead
exposure to insoluble chromates, and may be used to represent
2.3 NIOSH Publications:
the exposure of all employees in that job assignment. One
“Certified Equipment,”HEW Publication No. 76-145
sample may not be sufficient for an adequate characterization.
“Recommended Industrial Ventilation Guidelines,” January
Forfurtherguidanceandappropriatecontrolobjectivessee5.6,
1976,HEW Publication No. 76-162
6.2, and 7.3.
“Criteria for a Recommended Standard Chromium (VI),”
5.2 Medical Surveillance:
HEW Publication No. 76-129
5.2.1 Examinations—Individuals who are currently, or who
3. Terminology are expected to be employed in exposure areas (see 3.1) shall
be given preplacement and annual medical examinations that
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:
3.1.1 exposure area, n—buildings and exterior locations
5.2.1.1 Work History, to elicit information on all past
where insoluble chromates may be present as airborne particu-
exposures to any hexavalent chromium compounds or other
latesinexcessoftheconcentrationsspecifiedin5.1.2,orwhere
toxic substances, particularly those affecting lung function.
there is a likelihood of skin contact with chromate containing
dust. 5.2.1.2 Periodic Medical Examination,consistingofatleast
the following: Completion of a health history questionnaire
3.1.2 insoluble, n—a relative term to distinguish the low-
with attention given to smoking history, posterior-anterior
water solubility of the chromates listed in Table 1 from the
chest X-ray, complete blood count or red cell count and
muchmorewater-solublechromatesofsodium,potassium,and
hemoglobin, and pulmonary function studies (FVC, FEV 1.0
and FEV 1.0/FVC).
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http:// Committee on Industrial Ventilation, Documentation of TLVs, American Con-
www.access.gpo.gov. ference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist, 1985.
E848 − 94 (2022)
5.2.2 Medical examinations shall be made available to with the recommendations of ANSI Z129.1. Any applicable
workers with symptoms of skin or upper respiratory tract governmental regulation must be followed.
irritation at the time the symptoms are first observed or
5.4 Personal Protective Equipment:
reported.
5.4.1 Respiratory Protection—Each employee’s personal
5.2.3 Management—Proper medical management shall be
work environment shall be maintained at a safe exposure level
provided promptly for workers adversely affected by exposure
through implementation of cost effective engineering controls,
to insoluble chromates. The cause of any excessive exposure
augmented as necessary by personal protective equipment or
shallbesoughtwithoutdelay,andcorrectiveactioninitiated.A
work practice controls, or both. The choice of method should
physician shall determine if sensitized individuals should be
depend on the factors involved in each specific situation. Two
excluded from jobs with a risk of exposure.
criteria should be used to guide the choice of the control
5.2.4 First Aid:
measures. The measure chosen must reduce employee expo-
5.2.4.1 Ingestion—Induce vomiting promptly and obtain
sure below the applicable safe limit and the control method
prompt medical attention. “Advice to physicians: Administer
must be reliable (14, 15). With these two factors met, other
500mg to 1000 mg ascorbic acid IV as promptly as possible,
factors such as logistics, product quality, economics, morale,
followed by oral Vitamin C, 5g⁄day to 10 g/day until risk of
housekeeping, and efficiency can then be incorporated into the
kidney failure has ceased,” (13).
decision logic for choosing appropriate control measures.
5.2.4.2 Chromium Contamination of Open Wounds—Flush
Respirators are also required for emergencies and for the
thoroughly for 15 min with water and seek medical attention.
performance of nonroutine tests and duties that have the
5.2.4.3 EyeIrritation—Flushthoroughlywithcopiousquan-
likelihoodofexceedingthePEL.Brushorrollerapplicationof
tities of water for 15 min and seek medical attention. paints does not normally require respiratory protective equip-
ment for protection from airborne chromates.
5.3 Labeling and Posting:
5.4.2 The Respiratory Protection Program must meet the
5.3.1 Warning Signs—In areas where insoluble chromate
general requirements outlined in OSHA29 CFR 1910.134 and
concentrations in the atmosphere are likely to exceed the
inANSI Z88.2-1980, see Ref (16). This program shall include
standard, appropriate warning signs, barricades, or work prac-
instructions on the proper selection and use, including fit
tices should be used to restrict access to unauthorized persons.
testing, cleaning and maintenance of respirators and air supply
The sign must alert anyone entering the area as to what action
devices. The fit test should be performed annually on all
should be taken.
negative pressure respirators. Either a quantitative or qualita-
5.3.2 Container Labels—All containers (bag, barrel, box,
tive test is satisfactory (14, 15).The type of respirator required
can, drum, reaction vessel, storage tanks, but not pipe or pipe
for protection against known or expected concentration of
lines) should be labeled, tagged, or marked with the following
airborne chromate to be encountered is outlined in Table 2.
information:
5.4.3 Foot Protection—Industrial type leather shoes with
5.3.2.1 The Identity of the Material(s)—Identity means any
synthetic soles will provide ample protection under normal
chemical or common name(s), code name or number, or brand
operating and good housekeeping conditions. For wet opera-
name, that is indicated on the material safety data sheet for the
tions during cleanup of spills or when conducting decontami-
chemical.
nation procedures, rubber or synthetic booties or pullover shoe
5.3.2.2 Batch process sheets, batch tickets, operating
protection shall be worn, and thoroughly rinsed and dried
procedures, or other such written materials are acceptable
before reuse. Shoes that are torn or show evidence of inside
alternatives to individual labels as long as the appropriate
contamination with chromate shall be disposed of properly.
identity is readily accessible to employees.
5.4.4 Clothing—Any employee exposed to airborne levels
5.3.2.3 Portable containers for immediate use need not be
of chromium above the PELor when the possibility of skin or
labeled.
eye irritation exists, should be supplied with appropriate
5.3.3 Safety Data Sheet (SDS)—The SDS or equivalent is
protective work clothing such as coveralls or similar full-body
the primary source of the safety and health information. The
work clothes. See for example, ANSI Z87.1 for eye and face
chemical identification and SDS for all insoluble chromates
protection guidelines. Clean work clothing should be supplied
used in the workplace must be made readily accessible to all
at least weekly to employees in these cases. All protective
employees. The SDS in conjunction with the identity on the
clothingmustberemovedatthecompletionofeach
...