Chromium-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

Chromium is steely-grey, hard, and brittle metal. As chromium metal has a high corrosion resistance and hardness, it is added to iron to form an alloy called stainless steel (or rather rustless steel). The name of the element is derived from the Ancient Greek word chrōma (χρῶμα), which means 'colour'.

As a trace element, chromium is naturally present in many foods, including meats, grain products, fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, brewer’s yeast, beer, and wine. However, chromium amounts in these foods vary widely depending on local soil and water conditions, as well as the agricultural and manufacturing processes used to produce them.

In the United States, trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) ion is considered an essential nutrient in humans, supposedly necessary for the metabolism of insulin, sugar, and lipids. However, in 2014, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) concluded that there was insufficient evidence for chromium to be recognized as essential.

While chromium metal and Cr(III) ions are considered non-toxic or even beneficial, hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is toxic and carcinogenic. Chromium trioxide that is used in industrial electroplating processes is a substance of very high concern.

Kidney disease is often cited as one of the adverse effects of chromium. An adverse long-term effect of low-dose chromium exposure on the kidneys is suggested by some reports in chromium workers[1]. It raises the possibility that low-level, long-term exposure may produce persistent kidney damage, researchers wrote in 1991.

However, in 2023 the situation has dramatically changed. Now even beauticians are at risk for chronic kidney diseases. Some cosmetic products, such as eye shadows, may contain worrying levels of chromium, and if you are in daily contact with these products your kidneys may be in danger of irreversible damage[2][3].

Scientists also found that the older you get, the more kidney damage you may have[4].

We propose to call this Chronic Kidney Disease of non-Traditional causes (CKDnT): Chromium-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease.

[1] Wedeen, Qian: Chromium-induced kidney disease in Environmental Health Perspectives – 1991
[2] Mahmoodi et al: Urinary levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in female beauticians and their association with urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress/inflammation and kidney injury in The Science of the total Environment - 2023. See here.
[3] Kang et al: Determination of hexavalent chromium in cosmetic products by ion chromatography and postcolumn derivatization in Contact Dermatitis - 2006
[4] Wu et al: Threshold effect of urinary chromium on kidney function biomarkers: Evidence from a repeated-measures study in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety - 2023