ABSTRACT
As documented by K. M. MacLure and B. MacMahon, the history of chromates as carcinogens represents one of the depressing examples where knowledge, which has been available in the literature for many decades, has not led to the desired prevention of preventable cancer in man. Most of the available knowledge on the carcinogenic effects of chromium compounds has been generated from studies on occupationally exposed groups. Alloys of chromium have been in use as joint replacement prostheses in humans for many years. Heath et al. injected rats intramuscularly with wear particles from prostheses made in cobalt chromium alloys and found a number of sarcomas at the injection sites. Increasing emphasis has been put on the characterization of level of exposure and duration of exposure. Quantitative analysis of the chromium content in the lungs was carried out in some of the cases and high contents were found.
