Small amounts move from soil to groundwater. Fish don't take up or store chromium in their bodies. Ingesting very large amounts of chromium can cause stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death. We don't know if chromium harms the fetus or our ability to reproduce. Mice that ingested large amounts of chromium had reproductive problems and offspring with birth defects.
Some people have allergic reactions including severe redness and swelling.
This is based on increased lung cancer in some workers who were exposed to chromium. Chromium can be measured in the hair, urine, serum, red blood cells, and whole blood. Tests for chromium exposure are most useful for people exposed to high levels. These tests cannot determine the exact levels of chromium you were exposed to or predict how the levels in your tissues will affect your health. Skin patch tests may indicate if you are allergic to chromium.