[Fwd: [TheForge] Forging of Chrome plated steel]

[Phlip]

OK, guys, this is Randy's response. Randy is an MD in internal medicine in
NYC, and is also a teacher at one of the Med Schools there. He knows his
stuff ;-)

Phlip

Randy Goldberg MD wrote:

> I don't have the resources to identify specific products of the forging
> process. I can tell you that:
>
> Chromic oxide (CrO) is relatively insoluable and can be disregarded.
> Chromium trioxide (CrO3), however, is very soluable, can easily be
> absorbed through the lungs, and is very very very toxic. From
> Ellenhorn's _Medical Toxicology_: "Ingestion of hexavalent compounds
> (including chromium trioxide) usually leads to abdominal pains,
> vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal bleeding. Death may ensue during the
> initial circulatory collapse. If the patient survives the initial phase,
> some renal tubular damage may occur. Hepatic failure, severe
> coagulopathy, or intravascular hemolysis have been observed." I would
> expect both CrO and CrO3 to be liberated during the forging of metals
> containing chromium.
>
> On zinc: Again from Ellenhorn: "Inhalation of zinc oxide is the most
> common cause of metal fume fever. This syndrome resembles a flulike
> illness. Onset occurs in 4 to 6 hours, generally on the evening after
> exposure to fumes. Fatigue, chills, fever, myalgias, cough, dyspnea,
> leukocytosis, thirst, metallic taste, and salivation characterize this
> self-limited illness, with resolution of symptoms appearing in 36 hours.
> The chest x-ray usually is clear. Tolerance develops in workers, but may
> be lost over the weekend (``Monday Morning Fever''). Metal fume fever
> can also follow exposure to fumes of copper, magnesium, aluminum,
> antimony, iron, manganese, and nickel in welding, galvanizing, or
> smelting operations." Again, I would expect zinc oxide to be liberated
> during the forging of zinc-containing metals.
>
> I would not recommend playing with either of these without (a) a
> breathing mask, preferably one with an independant air supply and (b) an
> EXCELLENT ventilation system.
>
> Cheers,
>  Randy