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Chromium in photocopier toner and hazard communication

Summary A company asked whether a competitor's photocopier toner containing chromium needed hazard warnings. OSHA had not completed its investigation, but said that if the toner contained hexavalent chromium and covered employees could be exposed, the hazard communication rule would apply, potentially including carcinogenicity information on labels and data sheets. OSHA marked the letter consistent with its policy on February 11, 2008.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1987-08-25
Date issued
August 25, 1987
Status
Active
OSHA marks the letter reviewed and consistent with policy on February 11, 2008.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Hazard Communication Chromium
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

August 25, 1987
Mr. Desmond Bond
Desmond Bond, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Bond:
This is in response to your letter of August 6, regarding the presence of chromium in monocomponent photocopier toner.
Our New York Regional Office is still investigating your previous letter alleging that toner cartridges manufactured and sold by Canon U.S.A., Inc., contain chromium. Until the investigation is completed we cannot give you a final response.
If our investigation indicates that the product contains hexavalent chromium and that employees covered by the standard are potentially exposed, then the toner would be subject to the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard. Under the Hazard Communication Standard a warning of carcinogenicity may be required on the label. In addition, the material safety data sheet would need to address the carcinogenic effects of hexavalent chromium compounds to detail.
As soon as our investigation is completed we will contact you again with a full response. If you have any further questions in the interim, please feel free to contact me again.
Sincerely,
John A. Pendergrass
Assistant Secretary
[Reviewed; consistent with current policy 2/11/2008]

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]

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