Toxic effect of hexavalent chromium on the workers employed in chrome plating

Abstract

Chromium has been considered corrosive, cytotoxic, and carcinogenic for humans and occupational exposure to chromium compounds may result in various health hazards. In this study, 200 chrome plating workers from Lahore industrial area with age ranging from 20 to 50 were selected for the assessment of health risks. A control group of 100 individuals from the same age without chromium exposure was selected. A total of 100 chrome plating workers with age ranging 20-35, were included. Hexavalent chromium was significantly higher among all the workers as compared to controls. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly (p0.001) lower in both the groups as compared to controls.