Chromium(III) Compounds in the yard and garden
Low risk for your yardChromium(III) compounds (CAS 16065-83-1 class) present a low risk to human adults. IARC Group 3 classification reflects the established distinction from carcinogenic Cr(VI). Cr(III) is poorly absorbed (<5% oral), poorly cell-permeable, and does not produce the intracellular DNA-damaging chemistry of Cr(VI). Dietary supplements containing Cr(III) as chromium picolinate have been widely used for glucose regulation without established carcinogenicity. Contact sensitization is a risk in occupational settings with Cr(III) salt exposure. The key safety concern is ensuring purity of Cr(III) preparations (avoiding Cr(VI) contamination). No carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or established systemic toxicity concerns at typical occupational or supplement exposure levels.
What is chromium(iii) compounds?
The IUPAC name is chromium(3+).
Also known as: chromium(3+), Chromium(III), Chromic ion, Chromic cation.
- IUPAC name
- chromium(3+)
- CAS number
- 16065-83-1
- Molecular formula
- Cr+3
- Molecular weight
- 51.996 g/mol
- SMILES
- [Cr+3]
- PubChem CID
- 27668
Risk for people, pets,
Low riskChromium(III) compounds (CAS 16065-83-1 class) present a low risk to human adults. IARC Group 3 classification reflects the established distinction from carcinogenic Cr(VI). Cr(III) is poorly absorbed (<5% oral), poorly cell-permeable, and does not produce the intracellular DNA-damaging chemistry of Cr(VI). Dietary supplements containing Cr(III) as chromium picolinate have been widely used for glucose regulation without established carcinogenicity. Contact sensitization is a risk in occupational settings with Cr(III) salt exposure. The key safety concern is ensuring purity of Cr(III) preparations (avoiding Cr(VI) contamination). No carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or established systemic toxicity concerns at typical occupational or supplement exposure levels.
Regulatory consensus
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Chromium(III) Compounds. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1990 | Group 3 — not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans (chromium(III) compounds — IARC Monographs Volume 49, 1990; distinct from chromium(VI) compounds classified as Group 1) | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | Carcinogenic potential cannot be determined | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | D (Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity) | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 3 - Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where your yard encounter chromium(iii) compounds
- Contaminated Water — Mining site runoff, Industrial discharge areas, Drinking water from old infrastructure
- Soil Contamination — Industrial sites, Smelter areas, Battery recycling facilities
- Food Chain — Fish from contaminated waters, Shellfish from polluted areas, Crops grown in contaminated soil
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Chromium(III) Compounds:
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Safer process chemistry; Green chemistry alternatives; Exposure controls
Trade-offs: Requires R&D investment to redesign synthesis routes; may reduce yield or throughput initially; long-term benefits include reduced waste treatment costs, regulatory compliance, and worker safety; 12 Principles of Green Chemistry framework available.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is chromium(iii) compounds safe for your yard?
Chromium(III) compounds (CAS 16065-83-1 class) present a low risk to human adults. IARC Group 3 classification reflects the established distinction from carcinogenic Cr(VI). Cr(III) is poorly absorbed (<5% oral), poorly cell-permeable, and does not produce the intracellular DNA-damaging chemistry of Cr(VI). Dietary supplements containing Cr(III) as chromium picolinate have been widely used for glucose regulation without established carcinogenicity. Contact sensitization is a risk in occupational settings with Cr(III) salt exposure. The key safety concern is ensuring purity of Cr(III) preparations (avoiding Cr(VI) contamination). No carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or established systemic toxicity concerns at typical occupational or supplement exposure levels.
What products contain chromium(iii) compounds?
Chromium(III) Compounds appears in: Mining site runoff (Contaminated water); Industrial discharge areas (Contaminated water); Industrial sites (Soil contamination); Smelter areas (Soil contamination); Fish from contaminated waters (Food chain).
Why do regulators disagree about chromium(iii) compounds?
Chromium(III) Compounds has been classified by 4 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IARC, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Chromium(III) Compounds in the outdoor app
Look up products containing chromium(iii) compounds, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in outdoor View raw API dataSources (1)
- IARC Monographs Volume 49 1990 Chromium III Compounds Group 3; Chromium VI Group 1 Lung Cancer; Poor Oral Absorption <5%; Low Cell Membrane Permeability; Cr(VI) Intracellular Reduction DNA Damage; Chromium Picolinate Supplement Glucose Metabolism; Contact Sensitization Dermatitis; EFSA Chromium Adequate Intake (1990) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →