Chromium Exposure and Health Effects in Hudson County: Phase I: Research Project Summary
Date
2008-12
Date Removed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology
Abstract
During much of the twentieth century, Hudson County, and particularly Jersey City, was one of the world centers of chromate production from chromite ore. The slag and waste products from this production referred to as COPR (chromite ore processing residue) was disposed in various locations and given away gratis for fill, berms etc. This resulted in a legacy of approximately 200 COPR waste sites in Hudson County. COPR contains variable amounts of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) as well as trivalent chromium (Cr+3). Cr+6 is a known human inhalation carcinogen (USEPA, 1998). Recent evidence indicates that it is also an ingestion carcinogen (NTP, 2008). Because of its carcinogenic potential, Cr+6 is the substance of greatest concern in COPR.
Description
Prepared by UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, N.J.
Keywords
New Jersey, New Jersey - Hudson County