Effectiveness of the European Chromium VI Directive for cement implementation on occupational allergic contact dermatitis occurrence: Assessment in France and UK

Hexavalent chromium is the main sensitizer in wet cement and a common cause of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD), especially among workers in the construction industry.^1,2 The European Chromium VI directive³ transposed into national regulations in France and UK respectively on May and January 2005, prohibits selling or using of hydrated cement with more than 0.0002% of chromium. This was achieved through the addition of ferrous sulphate to the dry product, allowing to reduce chromium VI to chromium III which is less sensitizing.

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