Chromium (Cr) toxicity, even at low concentrations, poses a significant health threat to various environmental species. Cr is found in the environment in two oxidation states that differ in their bioavailability and toxicity. While Cr(III) is essential for glucose metabolism, the oxyanion chromate Cr(VI) is mostly of anthropogenic origin, toxic, and carcinogenic. The sources of Cr in the environment are multiple, including geochemical processes, disposal of industrial waste, and industrial wastewater. Cr pollution may consequently impact the health of numerous plant and animal species. Despite that, the number of published studies on Cr toxicity across environmental species remained mainly unchanged over the past two decades. The presence of Cr in the environment affects several plant physiological processes, including germination or photosynthesis, and consequently impacts growth, and lowers agricultural production and quality. Recent research has also reported the toxic effects of Cr in different aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Whereas some species showed sensitivity, others exhibited tolerance. Hence, this review discusses the understanding of the ecotoxicological effect of Cr on different plant and animal groups and serves as a concise source of consolidated information and a valuable reference for researchers and policymakers in an understanding of Cr toxicity. Future directions should focus on expanding research efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying species-specific responses to Cr pollution.

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is gaining traction but raises worker health concerns due to micron‐sized powders, including fine inhalable particles. This study explored particle and surface characteristics, electrochemical properties, metal release in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF), and potential toxicity of virgin and sieved virgin Fe‐based powders, stainless steel (316L), Fe, and two tooling steels. Virgin particles ranged in size from 1 to 100 µm, while sieved particles were within the respirable size range (<5–10 µm). Surface oxide composition differed from bulk composition. The Fe powder showed low corrosion resistance and high metal release due to a lack of protective surface oxide. Sieved particles of 316L, Fe, and one tooling steel released more metals into ALF than virgin particles, with the opposite was observed for the other tooling steel. Sieved particles had no notable impact on cell viability or micronuclei formation in human bronchial epithelial cells. Inflammatory response in human macrophages was generally low, except for the Fe powder and one tooling steel, which induced increased interleukin‐8 (IL‐8/CXCL‐8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1/CCL‐2) secretion. This study underscores distinctions between virgin and sieved Fe‐based powders and suggests relatively low acute toxicity.