16/2014/Tech

Safety

Facts
Sharrcem

Chromium in Cement

Chromium (VI) is an avoidable trace in Portland Cements. Depending

on the raw material used in the cement production, the Chromium
content in cements could vary between 100 to 300 ppm (1 ppm =
0,0001%). Cr(VI) is classified as a very dangerous material
because of its highly toxic characteristics and ability to
penetrate human skin. Furthermore Cr(VI) has a high 6+
solubility in water and thus during manipulation with wet
concrete, the construction workers expose their hands facing
Cr
a threat of skin irritation, allergic eczema or even more
dangerous diseases.
To protect construction workers, which frequently come into contact with cement, the EU
has enforced a directive, 2003/53/EC, which restricts the use of cements and cementitious
materials, in cases when they contain more than 0,0002% (2ppm) Chromium (VI) of the dry
weight of the cement when hydrated. This EU legislation was effected at the beginning of
2005 and ever since then it obliges all the cement and cementitious materials produces to
respect it.
Based on Titan values and commitments for responsible behavior towards people, society
and nature, Sharrcem has decided voluntarily to follow the EU directive and to produce
healthier and safer cement for its customers.
The chromium reduction
When buying Cement, search for this text on the bags !
directive is still not applied in
Përmbajtja e tretur e Cr(VI) në çimento pas hidratimit është
< 0,0002% e llogaritur në peshën e thatë të Çimentos. Kosovo legislation, yet
Sharrcem has gone through an
Sasia e zvogluar, e shfrytëzuar për redukimin e tretur Cr(VI),
në çimento. Është aktive 90 ditë nga data e shtypur në thesin
intensive preparation and
e paketimit.
substantial expenditures to
lead by example, a benchmark of how domestic, Kosovar companies should be the first to
care about the well-being of its own people.
Water - Soluble chromium (VI) reduction in cement

In order to comply with the requirements of the directive in March 2014, Sharrcem has
applied the method of Water-Soluble Chromium (VI) reduction in cement, which means
using additive for reducing the water-soluble hexavalent chromium content in cement. The
reducing agent is incorporated in cement for the purpose of reducing the water-soluble
Chromium (VI) during hydration, thus rendering chromium insoluble, which converts soluble
hexavalent chromium into insoluble trivalent chromium during hydration. The aim is to
minimize the occurrence of chromate-related allergic contact dermatitis arising from the
use of cement.
The chromate reducing agent is a liquid additive
which is added to the mill during the cement
grinding process. It ensures the production of
cements without Cr(VI), according to European
obligation 2003/53/EC. Generally the additive
spraying dosage is between 50 and 55 g/t for
each ppm of Cr(VI) existing in cement.

Clinker spraying with additive

Our laboratory determines the Cr6+ content

in cement according EN-196-10, using a
spectrophotometer. The method measures
chromium reduction capacity. Limits of Cr6+
in our cement are ≤ 0.0002%.

Spectrophotometer Cary 60 UV-Vis

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