NCIt definition : A dark red to brown colored, crystalline, inorganic compound that emits toxic chromium
fumes upon heating. Chromium trioxide is highly corrosive and is a strong oxidizing
agent. This substance is mainly used in the production of wood preservatives and organic
chemicals, but is also used in metal finishing and chrome plating and as a corrosion
inhibitor. Chromium trioxide primarily affects the nose, throat and lungs causing
ulcerations, shortness of breath, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma-like allergy but
can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and immune system. This
substance is a known human carcinogen and is associated with an increased risk of
developing lung cancer and cancer of the sinonasal cavity. (NCI05);