Urinary excretion of chromium in chromeplaters after discontinued exposure

In a previous study [Lindberg and Vesterberg, 1983a], excretion of chromium in urine (U‐Cr) in chromeplaters was proposed for biological monitoring of ongoing exposure. Published reports were found about the decline of U‐Cr after discontinued exposure in welders working in chromium‐alloyed stainless steel, but not in chromeplaters. In this study, half‐times (t 1/2 ) were calculated for ten chromeplaters over a weekend, and for 23 chromeplaters over 31 days vacation. The results suggest that the excretion of chromium can be approximated to a two‐compartment model. Estimated from the median values, an initial rapid phase with an assumed t 1/2 of 2–3 days is followed by a phase with a t 1/2 of approximately a month. Differences between the decline of U‐Cr in chromeplaters and welders are discussed.