Chromium and sino-nasal cancer

Sino-nasal cancer, which encompasses cancers of the inside of the nose and of the paranasal sinuses, is a rare disease in the UK. The disease is prescribed in relation to exposure to wood dust and leather working, for which there is strong evidence of an increased risk.

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Sino-nasal cancer, which encompasses cancers of the inside of the nose and of the paranasal sinuses, is a rare disease in the UK. The disease is currently prescribed in relation to exposure to wood dust and leather working, for which there is strong evidence of an increased risk. The Council was asked to consider the case for prescription of sino-nasal cancer in relation to chromium exposure. Following processing, the metal chromium exists in several forms, principally metallic chromium (chromium 0), trivalent chromium (chromium III), and hexavalent chromium (chromium VI). The Council considered a body of evidence relating to a number of industries in which exposure to these different forms of chromium occurred, namely chromate production, chrome plating, chromium pigment production, stainless steel welding and the leather and tanning industries. Evidence from a number of studies provided support for an association between sinonasal cancers and chromium VI in certain industries. Positive associations, in which the risk was more than doubled, were most clearly evident in workers involved in chromate production and chrome plating.
The Council recommends that sino-nasal cancer be added to the list of diseases for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is payable, for those who have worked in hexavalent chrome plating; or in the manufacture of inorganic chromates.