What this test measures
Chromium testing measures total chromium concentration by ICP-MS in whole blood, serum or urine. Two oxidation states are critical: trivalent chromium (Cr III) — a possibly essential trace element found in food and supplements; and hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) — a potent carcinogen and skin/respiratory toxin from electroplating, chromate pigments, leather tanning, stainless steel welding fumes and cement.
Standard ICP-MS measures total chromium without speciation. For hexavalent chromium exposure assessment, urine total chromium serves as the standard biological monitoring tool, with end-of-shift sampling per ACOEM/OSHA protocols.
Why it matters
India has very large hexavalent chromium-exposure industries: leather tanning (Kanpur, Vellore, Kolkata clusters), chromium plating (electroplating shops across all industrial areas), chromate pigments, stainless steel welding (massive informal welding sector), and cement (chromate content). NIOH Ahmedabad and AIIMS COEH have documented elevated chromium in tannery workers, electroplaters and welders. Cr VI is a documented lung carcinogen, causes nasal septum perforation, contact dermatitis, asthma and kidney injury.
Testing is appropriate for occupational health surveillance in these industries and for evaluating symptoms suspicious of chromium toxicity. Cr III supplements (chromium picolinate, marketed for "blood sugar control") have weak evidence and are not recommended; testing for nutritional status is not clinically useful.
How to prepare
Avoid all chromium-containing supplements (picolinate, polynicotinate) and multivitamins for 72 hours. Trace-element-free royal blue-top tube for blood, trace-metal-free urine container. For occupational testing, sample end of shift / end of workweek per ACOEM protocols. Tell the lab about welding (stainless steel especially), tannery work, electroplating exposure.
Markers & reference ranges
Reference ranges below are typical adult values. Your lab's reported range may differ slightly based on the assay platform and patient demographics — always read your report against the range printed on it.
| Marker | Normal range | If low | If high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium (µg/L)[1][2][3] | Whole blood: < 1 µg/L · Urine: < 5 µg/g creatinine (background) | Background. | Urine end-of-shift >10 µg/g creatinine in workers indicates significant Cr VI exposure (ACGIH BEI: 25 µg/g creatinine). Investigate exposure source, review workplace controls, and screen for nasal perforation, asthma and dermatitis. |
Cr III vs Cr VI
| Form | Toxicity | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Cr III (trivalent) | Generally low; possibly essential | Food, multivitamins, picolinate |
| Cr VI (hexavalent) | Carcinogen, respiratory and dermal toxin | Electroplating, tanning, welding fumes, pigments, cement |
Frequently asked questions
Should I test chromium because I take chromium picolinate?
No — picolinate is Cr III with minimal toxicity at usual doses. Whether it has benefit (e.g. for blood sugar) is not well supported. Testing is not informative.
My job involves stainless steel welding — should I be tested?
Yes. Stainless steel welding fume contains hexavalent chromium. Urine chromium at end of shift is the standard biological monitor.
Do I need fasting?
A 2-hour fast is sufficient.
What does urine end-of-shift mean?
For occupational monitoring, urine sample is collected at the end of a work shift on the last day of the workweek — the time when biological burden is highest and most informative.
Is Cr VI in tap water a concern?
In areas downstream from tanneries and electroplating effluent, yes. Water testing and remediation are the response, not personal supplementation.
How long does the report take?
Typically 3–5 days.
Are joint implants a chromium source?
Metal-on-metal hip implants can release cobalt and chromium. Patients with these implants are monitored with blood Co + Cr per orthopaedic guidelines.
Related Toxicology / Trace Elements tests
Tests commonly ordered alongside CHROMIUM, or that help interpret an unexpected result.
Sources & references
- ATSDR — Chromium Toxicological Profile · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- OSHA — Hexavalent Chromium Standard · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- NIH ODS — Chromium Fact Sheet · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Mayo Clinic Labs — Chromium · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
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