The purpose of this review is to summarize information related to hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI), in the portland cement industry. The catalyst for initiating this project was the content restrictions and labeling/marketing of cements based on the level of Cr (VI) in cement in Europe, and the potential for a similar situation in North America in the near future. European Directive 2003/53/EC was implemented January 2005 and is binding in the UK and other EU member states (European Parliament 2003). As outlined in reference BCA (2006), the directive: 1) prohibits the placing on the market or use of cement or cement preparations which contain, when hydrated, more than 2 ppm (0.0002%) of soluble Cr (VI); 2) requires that where cement or cement preparations have a soluble Cr (VI) content of 2 ppm or less, when hydrated, due to the presence of a reducing agent, their packaging should be marked with information on the period of time for which the reducing agent remains effective (i.e. packing date, suggested storage conditions, and suggested storage period); and 3) permits the placing on the market and use of cement or cement preparation not meeting the two requirements above only when it is for use in totally automated and fully enclosed processes where there is no possibility of contact with the skin. In regards to possible similar restrictions in North America, at the time of this report, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has exempted portland cement from its standard for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (OSHA 2006). This report includes information on: 1) potential sources of chromium to the manufacturing process, 2) the process of chromium oxidation in the cement kiln, including the dependant variables, and 3) the use of additives to reduce the level of hexavalent chromium formation in hydrated cement.