Harmful Dust | History Repeats Itself

the online magazine

Since 2020, harmfuldust.com has been reporting on carcinogenic chromium(VI) compounds on insulated hot components. Calcium oxide and sodium oxide from high-temperature insulation materials can react with chromium-alloyed steel above about 300 °C to form calcium chromate and sodium chromate. These are released as chromate-containing dusts and fibers during maintenance and removal, and also during normal operation.

The work “History Repeats Itself. Chromium(VI) in High-Temperature Insulation and the Parallels to Asbestos” shows how the history of asbestos can repeat itself on these installations. It is available for download in four languages, and every Thursday one chapter is published here as a separate post.

Download as PDF: German · English · Dutch · Polish

Title page of the work “History Repeats Itself. Chromium(VI) in High-Temperature Insulation and the Parallels to Asbestos” by Markus Sommer

Foreword of the work “History Repeats Itself. Chromium(VI) in High-Temperature Insulation and the Parallels to Asbestos” by Markus Sommer

Full-face mask with P3 filters and protective suit before entering

Personal protective equipment is the last resort and not a permanent condition

Directive (EU) 2026/2450 sets out the rank of protective equipment for carcinogens and gives wearers a right to breaks. What this means for the substitution assessment for chromate-contaminated insulation systems.

Markus Sommer

4 days ago3 min read

Chromate decontamination in an incineration furnace

Chromium(VI) in incineration ash from waste incineration plants

How chromates form in grate, boiler and filter ash, and why the dust leaves the furnace during overhauls

Markus Sommer

Oct 202 min read

The overlooked ingredient

The overlooked Ingredient The chromium(VI) compounds discussed in this technical analysis have no manufacturer . Calcium and sodium chromate are formed at the interface between a chromium-alloyed hot part and a basic insulating material, above approximately 300 °C, during normal operation as thermal insulation or as ash residue, e.g. in waste incineration plants.

Markus Sommer

Oct 135 min read

Der Ausbau chromatbelasteter Dämmstoffe ist eine krebserzeugende Tätigkeit

Germany sets the benchmark

Bei Arbeiten wie der Demontage von Dämmsystemen oder der Wartung von Abgassystemen kann es zu einer relevanten Exposition der Beschäftigten durch Chrom(VI)-Verbindungen kommen

Markus Sommer

Oct 24 min read

The Chromate Disaster

The evidence paper “The Chromium Disaster” confirms the formation of carcinogenic chromium(VI) compounds through calcium-containing insulation on stainless steel. BG ETEM and BG BAU recognize the danger. Operators who continue to operate without substitution are acting with knowingly negligent behavior. harmfuldust.com documents the facts – now the era of consequences begins.

Markus Sommer

Jul 17, 20253 min read