The Unseen Threat of Chromium Compound Contamination in Our Water
Most people, when they think of chrome or chromium, think of the silver shine on the bumper of older cars. However, chromium is used for much more than a coating, and when it gets into the water supply, it could be dangerous.
Chromium is very good at combining with other elements to form chromium compounds since its valance is anywhere from -2 to +6. Its most common valance, however, is either +3 (as in CrCl3) or +6 (as in K2Cr04). Valance is the charge it takes in combining with elements to form compounds.
Chromium is readily used in manufacturing. A list could begin with photography, leather tanning, chrome plating, and the manufacture of catalysts, paints, fungicides, glass, and ceramics. For many years the yellow school buses were painted with lead chromate (PbCrO4) because the color was bright and didn’t fade. However, when the information below was discovered, the paint was replaced with other pigments.
Chromium can get into the air in the form of aerosols but is easily removed in precipitation. Rain only contains perhaps one microgram of chrome per liter. However, chrome in water is a different story. Surface water can contain upwards of 2 micrograms of chromium per liter. Groundwater is generally less than 1 microgram/liter. However, near plants using chromium in their manufacturing as much as 40 to 80 micrograms/liter have been found. Though we take in the most chromium compounds through the food we eat, nearly10% can be ingested through our water supplies.
Some chromium compounds are actually good for us. In fact, Chromium (III) is important to our bodies to help us use sugar, protein, and fat. An intake of 50–200 µg of chromium (III) per day is recommended for adults. If we don’t get that amount, it may result in weight loss or decreased growth, improper function of the nervous system, and a diabetic-like condition. Therefore, chromium (III) compounds have been used as dietary supplements and are beneficial if taken in recommended dosages. Excessive amounts even of helpful chromium (III), can harm the body.
However, other forms of chromium, especially chromium (VI) can be harmful. “Calcium chromate, chromium trioxide, lead chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate are known human carcinogens. An increase in the incidence of lung cancer has been observed among workers in industries that produce chromate and manufacture pigments containing chromate.”
Here are some other problems related to excessive intake of chromium: liver problems (elevated hepatic enzymes), renal failure (kidney failure), hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets), changes in thought processes, chest pain, gastrointestinal disorders, erythema/flushing/rash, headache, dizziness, agitation, and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle fibers that can lead to kidney damage).
Chromium, like other heavy metals, may have other negative effects we do not yet know about. Do you know how much chromium (VI) you are ingesting daily? I checked our city water quality report and found no mention of chromium. Hopefully a safe level has been set. But our family installed an activated charcoal filter for our drinking and cooking water, just to be on the safe side.
Our filter, the Berkey Light from the popular Berkey Water Filter line, is able to remove 95% of the heavy metals such as chromium, from the water. We are now sure that our drinking water is safe from heavy metal toxins.
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