# Hexavalent chromium — OSHA medical surveillance trigger thresholds by substance

For Hexavalent chromium, cfr section is 1910.1026; action level is 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (2.5 µgm/m3) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA); pel is 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µgm/m3), calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA); surveillance trigger is Who are or may be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year; experiencing signs or symptoms of the adverse health effects associated with chromium (VI) exposure; or exposed in an emergency; exam frequency is Within 30 days after initial assignment; annually; within 30 days after PLHCP written medical opinion recommends additional examination; whenever employee shows signs or symptoms; within 30 days after emergency exposure, recorded from its source on 2026-08-12.

- **Substance:** Hexavalent chromium _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **CFR section:** 1910.1026 _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **Action level:** 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (2.5 µgm/m3) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
- **PEL:** 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µgm/m3), calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
- **Surveillance trigger:** Who are or may be occupationally exposed to chromium (VI) at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year; experiencing signs or symptoms of the adverse health effects associated with chromium (VI) exposure; or exposed in an emergency
- **Exam frequency:** Within 30 days after initial assignment; annually; within 30 days after PLHCP written medical opinion recommends additional examination; whenever employee shows signs or symptoms; within 30 days after emergency exposure
- **Record retention:** maintained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020

## What the source says

> <https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=6af9a0e4b2ea72786a9cf387077af7a7&term_occur=999&term_src=Title:29:Subtitle:B:Chapter:XVII:Part:1910:1910.1026> Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor , or designee. Chromium (VI) [hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI)] means chromium with a valence of positive six, in any form and in any compound.

## Source

- https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1910.1026

Last verified: 2026-08-12. Review by: 2027-02-08.
Part of [OSHA medical surveillance trigger thresholds by substance](https://referencesource.org/osha-medical-surveillance-triggers/).