CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE DATASHEET
CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION | |
Chemical name | Chromium (3+) |
Synonyms | Chromium (III) ion, chromium(3+), Chromium(III) cation [1,2] |
IUPAC name | Chromium III [2] |
CAS No | 16065-83-1 [1, 2] |
REACH registration number |
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EC No | 605-220-6 [1, 2] |
Molecular formula | Cr3 + |
Substance group/chemical family |
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Appearance Physical state Odour Form Colour |
Silvery, rather brittle metal. Similar to aluminum, but exhibits several oxidation states [8] |
USES AND HANDLING ISSUES | |
Relevant identified uses | The metal chromium is used mainly for making steel and other alloys. Chromium compounds, in either the chromium (III) or chromium (VI) forms, are used for chrome plating, the manufacture of dyes and pigments, leather and wood preservation, and treatment of cooling tower water. Smaller amounts are used in drilling mud, textiles, and toner for copying machines. [3] |
Handling considerations |
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PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES | |
Molecular weight | 51.996 g/mol [1] |
Bulk density/Specific gravity | 8.94 g/cm3 [8] |
pH |
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Particle size |
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EC |
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Melting point | 1900°C [1] |
Boiling point | 2672°C [8] |
Flash point |
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Flammability |
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Vapour density |
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Vapour pressure |
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Solubility in water | The chromium (III) compounds are sparingly soluble in water and may be found in water bodies as soluble chromium (III) complexes. [3] |
Solubility in organic solvents |
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Solubility in inorganic solvents |
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Hydrolysis |
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Ionicity in water |
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Surface tension |
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Dispersion properties |
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Specific surface |
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Stability and reactivity | |
Chemical stability | Chromium compounds are most stable in the trivalent state under environmental conditions and occur in nature in ores, such as ferro-chromite (FeCr2O4). [3] |
Reactivity hazards |
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Corrosivity |
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Polimerization |
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Incompatibility with various substances |
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Special remarks on reactivity | Ammonia reacts with chromium(III) ion to precipitate gray-green chromium(III) hydroxide. [8] Strong bases such as NaOH also precipitate Cr(OH)3, but the precipitate dissolves in excess hydroxide. [8] In basic solution, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes Cr(III) to Cr(VI). [8] |
Physical, chemical and biological coefficient | |
Koc |
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Kow |
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pKa |
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log Kp |
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Henry-constant |
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ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND BEHAVIOUR | |
Artificial pollution sources |
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General terrestrial fate | Cr3+ enters early-forming phases in igneous rocks. Cr3+ is commonly concentrated in residual soils and sediments. Cr3+ is essential to nutrition of at least some vertebrates [5] |
General aquatic fate |
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General atmospheric fate |
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General persistence and degradability |
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Abiotic degradation and metabolites |
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Biodegradation and metabolites |
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Bioconcentration |
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Volatilization |
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Photolysis |
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Hydrolysis |
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Soil adsorption and mobility | Cr(III) is the primary form of Cr that is retained by sorption. The kinetics of Cr(III) sorption is rapid in clays, sands, and soil containing Fe and manganese oxides. [3] |
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS | |
Measured data | Chromium compounds are stable in the trivalent (III) state and occur in nature in this state in ores, such as ferro-chromite. [3] |
ECOTOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION | |
General adverse effects on ecosystem | |
Acute toxicity (LC50, EC50) | |
Aquatic systems | 48-h CE50: 3.24 mg/l (Daphnia similis) [4] Chromium (III) oxide is not sufficiently soluble in environmental media to cause acute toxicity to aquatic invertebrates at the level of the lowest acute effect concentration (expressed as the EC50). [7] |
Terrestrial systems | Based on the lack of a potential for toxicity to aquatic organisms and/or bioaccumulation and its behaviour (poor solubility) in soils, chromium (III) oxide is expected to have a low potential for toxicity in soils. [7] |
Chronic toxicity (NOEC, LOEC) | |
Aquatic systems | Based on the poor solubility of chromium (III) oxide in environmental media, inhibition of activated sludge respiration or toxicity to microorganisms is not expected. [7] |
Terrestrial systems | Based on the lack of a potential for toxicity to aquatic organisms and/or bioaccumulation and its behaviour (poor solubility) in soils, chromium (III) oxide is expected to have a low potential for toxicity in soils. [7] |
HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS and PROTECTION | |
Routes of human exposures | The general population is exposed to chromium (generally chromium [III]) by eating food, drinking water, and inhaling air that contains Cr (III). Dermal exposure to chromium may occur during the use of consumer products that contain chromium, such as wood treated with copper dichromate or leather tanned with chromic sulfate.[3, 6] |
General effects |
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Endocrine disruption |
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Mutagenicity |
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Carcinogenicity | No data are available on the carcinogenic potential of chromium (III) compounds alone. [3, 6] EPA has classified chromium (III) as a Group D, not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans. [3, 6] EPA has stated that "the classification of chromium (VI) as a known human carcinogen raises a concern for the carcinogenic potential of chromium (III)". [3, 6] |
Reprotoxicity | No information is available on the reproductive or developmental effects of chromium (III) in humans. A study of mice fed high levels of chromium (III) in their drinking water has suggested a potential for reproductive effects, although various study characteristics preclude a definitive finding. No developmental effects were reported in the offspring of rats fed chromium (III) during their developmental period. [3, 6] |
Teratogenicity |
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Skin, eye and respiratory irritations | The respiratory tract is the major target organ for chromium (III) toxicity. [3, 6] |
Metabolism: absorption, distribution & excretion |
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Exposure limits | The average daily intake from air, water, and food is estimated to be less than 0.2 to 0.4 micrograms (μg), 2.0 μg, and 60 μg, respectively. Occupational exposure to chromium occurs from chromate production, stainless-steel production, chrome plating, and working in tanning industries; occupational exposure can be two orders of magnitude higher than exposure to the general population. People who live in the vicinity of chromium waste disposal sites or chromium manufacturing and processing plants have a greater probability of elevated chromium exposure than the general population. [3, 6] |
Drinking water MAC |
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Other information | Chromium (III) is an essential element in humans, with a daily intake of 50 to 200 μg/d recommended for adults. [3] |
Animal toxicity data | |
Acute toxicity (LD50) | Acute animal tests have shown chromium (III) to have moderate toxicity from oral exposure. [2] |
Chronic toxicity (NOEL, LOEL) | |
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS | |
EINECS regulation | ̵ |
OSHA regulations etc. |
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OTHER INFORMATION, SPECIAL REMARKS | |
Classification and proposed labelling with regard to toxicological data | Warning! According to the classification provided by companies to ECHA in CLP notifications this substance may cause an allergic skin reaction. [2] |
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CREATED, LAST UPDATE | |
Created | 2019. 03. 29. |
Last update | 2019. 04. 01. |
REFERENCES | |
[1] PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Chromium_III_#section=Top, Accessed: 2019.03.29 [2] ECHA, European Chemical Agency, Chromium III, https://echa.europa.eu/hu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.111.676, Accessed: 2019.03.29 [3] Wilbur S, Abadin H, Fay M, et al . (2012) Toxicological Profile for Chromium. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US), Atlanta (GA) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK158851/, Accessed: 2019.03.29 [4] Melnikov P, de Freitas T.C.M. (2011) Evaluation of Acute Chromium (III) Toxicity in Relation to Daphnia similis, Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 3, 127-130. doi:10.4236/jwarp.2011.32015, Accessed: 2019.03.29 [5] Mindat.org, The Mineralogy of Chromium, https://www.mindat.org/element/Chromium, Accessed 2019.03.29 [6]Chromium Compounds – EPA, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/chromium-compounds.pdf Accessed 2019.03.29 [7] ECHA, European Chemical Agency. Chromium (III) oxide. https://echa.europa.eu/hu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/15477/6/2/4, Accessed: 2019.04.01. [8] Arizona State University. Properties of some metals, Chromium, Cr 3+ http://www.public.asu.edu/~jpbirk/qual/qualanal/chromium.html Accessed: 2019.04.01. | |