Question

Is potassium chromate dangerous?

Answer 1

Potassium chromate is an inorganic compound having the molecular formula ${{K}_{2}}Cr{{O}_{4}}$. It is yellow in color and solid in state. This is known as potassium salt of the chromate anion. It is of the common laboratory chemical.

Complete step-by-step answer: There are two crystalline forms of potassium chromate and both of them are very similar to the corresponding potassium sulfate. The two forms are defined as $\alpha$and $\beta$orthorhombic where $\beta$-${{K}_{2}}Cr{{O}_{4}}$ is common form of potassium chromate but it converts to an $\alpha$form above $66{}^\circ$C. These structures are complex in nature.
Potassium chromate is dangerous in nature like other Cr(VI) compounds; potassium chromate is also carcinogenic in nature where the carcinogenic term corresponds to any substance which is radionuclide in nature i.e. it emits radiation which produces cancer. These are not immediately toxic in nature but their effect can be insidious like the tobacco and cigarette smoke produces. Carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damage the DNA directly in cells which interferes with biological processes where we can see that severe DNA damage leads to programmed cell death but if the whole cell pathway is damaged then cell can-not prevent itself from becoming a cancer cell which can also cause a death for person.
Hence from the above discussion we can conclude that potassium chromate is dangerous for us.

Note: The main use of potassium chromate is used as an oxidizing agent, it can also be used as an qualitative inorganic analysis for example used as colorimetric test for silver ions and also used in precipitation titrations.