Chromium - 24Cr: biological information
Chromium is an essential trace element and has a role in glucose metabolism. It seems to have an effect in the action of insulin. In anything other than trace amounts, chromium compounds should be regarded as highly toxic.
Levels in humans
The abundances of the elements in humans.
- Human abundance by weight: 30 ppb by weight
- Human abundance by atoms: 4 atoms relative to C = 1000000
How much chromium is in your body? Find out here.
You can use this form to calculate how much chromium your body contains. Enter your weight in either kilograms or pounds and click the "Calculate" button. You must enter a number, not text! Elements for which there are no data will always give a value of zero for the weight, no matter what you put in the weight box.
Hazards and Risks
Hazards and risks associated with chromium:
Chromium metal powder is a fire hazard. All chromium compounds should be regarded as highly toxic. Chromium(VI) compounds are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Chromium(III) compounds are less toxic. Chromium compounds are important pollutants.
References
- J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, and R.L. Keiter in Inorganic Chemistry : Principles of Structure and Reactivity, 4th edition, HarperCollins, New York, USA, 1993.
- S. Budavari (Ed.) in The Merck Index, 11th ed., Merck, USA, 1989.
- N.N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw in Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edition, Butterworth, UK, 1997.