The Evolution of Hexavalent Chromium in Metallic Aerosols

Abstract

Evidence is presented that fumes generated from stainless steels by high temperature processes, can continue to evolve chemically for several minutes. In some cases their hexavalent chromium content appears to rise to a maximum some time after formation of the aerosol and then partly decay again. This finding has important implications for the monitoring of metallic aerosols produced, for example, during the manufacture, cutting, grinding and welding of chromium alloy steels.