IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (Final Report, 2024)
Notice
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)). The interagency comments on the IRIS Interagency Science Discussion Draft were also released.Abstract
EPA has finalized the IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)). This assessment addresses the potential cancer and noncancer human health effects from exposure to Cr(VI). EPA’s program and regional offices may use this assessment to inform decisions to protect human health.
Cr(VI) is a naturally occurring metal that has been most commonly used commercially to prevent rust and corrosion and can be found in a variety of industries, including pigment manufacturing, chrome plating, and stainless-steel production. The general population may be exposed to Cr(VI) compounds when they inhale ambient air, and ingest water or food containing Cr(VI). EPA’s previous IRIS assessment on Cr(VI) was posted in 1998. This new draft assessment updates the information based on the latest science. The draft assessment provides a comprehensive systematic review of hundreds of studies on cancer and multiple noncancer health effects of inhalation and oral exposure to Cr(VI), resulting in a state-of-the-science human health assessment.
Cr(VI) is a naturally occurring metal that has been most commonly used commercially to prevent rust and corrosion and can be found in a variety of industries, including pigment manufacturing, chrome plating, and stainless-steel production. The general population may be exposed to Cr(VI) compounds when they inhale ambient air, and ingest water or food containing Cr(VI). EPA’s previous IRIS assessment on Cr(VI) was posted in 1998. This new draft assessment updates the information based on the latest science. The draft assessment provides a comprehensive systematic review of hundreds of studies on cancer and multiple noncancer health effects of inhalation and oral exposure to Cr(VI), resulting in a state-of-the-science human health assessment.
Impact/Purpose
The IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium.
Status
Now that the interagency review draft has been completed and finalized, the final Cr(VI) assessment has been loaded into the IRIS Web site and Database.
Citation
U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (Final Report, 2024). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/635/R-24/164, 2024.
History/Chronology
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Apr 2014 | EPA released preliminary meeting materials for chromium (VI), part 1, in preparation for the June 2014 Bimonthly Public Science Meeting. |
| Jun 2014 | EPA hosted a public science meeting to discuss preliminary meeting materials for chromium (VI), part 1. |
| Aug 2014 | EPA released preliminary meeting materials for chromium (VI), part 2, in preparation for the October 2014 Bimonthly Public Science Meeting. |
| Oct 2014 | EPA hosted a public science meeting to discuss preliminary meeting materials for chromium (VI), part 2. |
| Mar 2019 | EPA released the Systematic Review Protocol for the Hexavalent Chromium IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials). [Federal Register Notice Mar 15, 2019] |
| Apr 2019 | EPA announced that they will host a public science meeting on April 24, 2019 (by webinar) to discuss the draft document. |
| Feb 2022 | EPA initiated an interagency science consultation on the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium. |
| Oct 2022 | EPA released an update to the CrVI protocol (preliminary assessment materials), see related links for details. |
| Oct 2022 | EPA released the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (External Review Draft) for public comment and subsequent external peer review by EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB). Also, the EPA-led Interagency Science Consultation draft was released with comments. [Federal Register Notice Oct 20, 2022] |
| Sep 2023 | EPA posted the final SAB peer review report on the EPA website. |
| May 2024 | EPA submitted the revised interagency science discussion draft for final Agency and Interagency review. |
| Aug 2024 | EPA posted the final report IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium Cr(VI) and released the interagency science discussion draft comments on the IRIS website, and updated key IRIS values for Cr(VI) in the IRIS database. |
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
- Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (PDF) (538 pp, 7 MB, about PDF)
- Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium – Supplemental Information (PDF) (537 pp, 10 MB, about PDF)
- Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium – Executive Summary (PDF) (15 pp, 495 KB, about PDF)
- Errata Sheet (Sept 2024) (PDF) (1 pp, 151 KB, about PDF)