Chromium content of organs of chromate workers with lung cancer.

The content of chromium was measured in organs of six chromate workers who had worked in a chromate chemical manufacturing plant, had been exposed to a considerable amount of chromium for over 10 years, and had died of lung cancer. The chromium in the lungs of workers averaged 51.5 micrograms/g (range 24.8-210 micrograms/g), while levels in the lungs of non-exposed controls were 0.07-1.01 micrograms/g. Organs other than the lungs of the workers also had more chromium than those of the controls. Moreover, it was apparent that the metal remained in the lungs long after exposure to chromate had ceased.