Medidas preventivas ante el riesgo relacionado con el manejo del cromo en la industria de la curtiembre.

Abstract

The objective of this bibliographic and systematic review was to analyze the mechanism by which the risk of exposure to chromium is generated. A compilation of the results of investigations were collected from Dspace, Scielo, Scopus, E-book and others. The exclusion criterion was sources prior to 5 years. The results indicated that the main absorption pathways for chromium and its compounds in the body of the tannery workers were ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation; the latter two were the main routes. The jobs that are considered most risky for tannery workers is undoubtedly the tanning and retanning of leather, especially when the company does not have any type of technology that reduces its harmful effect. The assertion that is made is well founded in the high percentages of dermal and pulmonary risks that were registered. Among the preventive measures that can be used to avoid tannery risks is to enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical emissions, training focused on the handling of chemicals, application of good labor practices that facilitate reduction of hazardous exposures. Therefore, it is recommended to use protective equipment, biosafety standards and, above all, medical care for workers who are exposed to chromium, both, in pure form and in its derivatives.