Several independent technical studies have suggested that excessive inhalation of zinc chromate dust may cause lung cancer. On the basis of these findings, the manufacturers have requested that the sale of zinc chromate primer and zinc chromate primer aerosol be restricted to commercial or professional shop use.

Professional users should be certain that workers are not exposed to concentrations in excess of the O.S.H.A. threshold limit value (TLV) of 0.1 milligram (as chromium) per cubic meter. If conditions are such that this limit may be exceeded, additional protective equipment is required. A respirator that has a NIOSH/MESA approval TC-23C. See catalog for respirators that meet this requirement.