Objective To evaluate the working environment and the prevalence of nasal mucosa injuries among workers in chromium manufacturers of Zhangjiagang City in Jiangsu Province with an attempt to put forward suggestions for environmental supervision and management.
Methods A sampling survey was conducted on the chromium concentrations in workplace air samples and the occupational health status of workers to determine whether there was a dose-effect relationship between chromium exposure level and workers' impaired health.
Results The chromium concentrations in workplace air samples met the requirement of relevant national limits for occupational health and were even less than the detection limits (0.01 mg/m3) of applied apparatus. However, abnormal nasal findings were detected in 13.11% of the workers who were engaged in chromium plating, indicating nasal lesions.
Conclusion Current standards regarding the sampling, detection, and assessment of chromium and its compounds are inadequate to protect workers' health, so it is necessary to discuss the possibility of revising the current standards.
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