Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, March 11, 2026

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a toxic form of chromium identified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a significant occupational hazard. Primarily man-made, hexavalent chromium compounds are widely used across industries, including metal fabrication, manufacturing, and coatings.

According to OSHA, chromium metal is added to alloys and stainless steels to enhance strength and corrosion resistance. One of the most common sources of worker exposure occurs during “hot work,” such as welding on stainless steel or other chromium-containing alloys. Hexavalent chromium compounds are also used as pigments in paints, dyes, inks, and plastics, as well as anticorrosive additives in coatings and primers. Chromic acid, another hexavalent chromium compound, is commonly used in electroplating to provide decorative or protective metal finishes.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) classifies hexavalent chromium as a known human carcinogen in certain occupational settings due to inhalation exposure. These compounds have also been detected in some drinking water sources.

“Exposure to hexavalent chromium can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The risk of lung, nasal, and sinus cancer increases with both exposure level and duration. To protect workers, OSHA, NIOSH, and Cal/OSHA have established exposure limits, and OEHHA has listed hexavalent chromium compounds under Proposition 65 as substances known to cause cancer and reproductive harm.”

Employee training, industrial hygiene monitoring, and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) play a critical role in reducing exposure risks and maintaining regulatory compliance. With laboratories located throughout California, LA Testing provides testing services to identify and measure hexavalent chromium exposure. The company also offers sampling supplies, respirators, fit testing resources, and other PPE to support workplace safety programs.

LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about hexavalent chromium exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/c2NNo8u77vM

For more information about hexavalent chromium testing or access to sampling supplies, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. 

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, and San Diego.