Chromium-6 Water Filters, Filtration Systems, and Conamination

Chromium Water Filters and hexavalent chromium water filtration systems

Chromium 6 Water Filters and Filtration:

The Environmental Working Group just released a report on December 20, 2010 that Hexavalent Chromium or Chromium-6 has been found in 31 of 35 U.S. cities. The highest levels were detected in Norman, OK; Honolulu, HI; and Riverside, CA. (See Chromium-6 Water Contamination Map Below) Awareness of the presence of Chromium-6 was brought to the spotlight through the feature film "Erin Brockovich" starring Julia Roberts.

What is Chromium and What are the Sources of Chromium-6 in Drinking Water
Chromium is a metallic element that is is odorless and tasteless. Chromium is a naturally occurring element in rocks, plants, soil and volcanic dust, humans and animals. The most common forms of chromium in the environment are trivalent (chromium-3), hexavalent (chromium-6) and the metal form, chromium-0. Chromium-3 occurs naturally in many vegetables, fruits, meats, grains and yeast. Chromium-6 and -0 are generally produced by industrial processes. Major sources of chromium-6 in drinking water are discharges from steel and pulp mills, and erosion of natural deposits of chromium-3. At many locations, chromium compounds have been released to the environment via leakage, poor storage, or improper disposal practices. Chromium in water compounds are very persistent in water as sediment.

Why doesn’t the EPA regulate chromium-6?
The EPA does regulate chromium-6 (or hexavalent chromium) as part of the total chromium drinking water standard since 1992. Although the current standard sets a max level of Total Chromium allowed in Drinking Water, the standard does not distinguish what percentage of the total chromium is chromium-6 versus chromium-3. The current Chromium in Drinking Water Standard is set at 100 parts per billion. The EPA’s regulation assumes that the sample is 100% chromium-6. This means the current chromium standard has been as protective and precautionary as the science of that time allowed. The current standard is based on potential adverse dermatological effects over many years, such as allergic dermatitis.

Is the EPA considering chromium-6 for drinking water?
Since new health effects information about hexavalent chromium, the EPA is reviewing this information to determine whether there are new health risks that need to be addressed. When the review is concluded, the EPA will determine whether the drinking water standard for total chromium needs to be updated.

Heath concerns of Chromium-6 in Drinking Water as a Carcinogen?
In the draft, the human health assessment for chromium-6 that was released in September 2010 by the EPA for independent expert peer review and public comment is proposing to classify hexavalent chromium (or chromium-6) as likely to cause cancer in humans when ingested over a lifetime. The EPA will make a final determination by the end of 2011. In 1998, the EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program classified hexavalent chromium as a known human carcinogen via inhalation, but did not have the science at that time to be able to classify it as to human carcinogenicity via ingestion.

Chromium 6 Water Filtration Solutions & Contamination

View Contamination Map of US
Read Chromium Water Contamination Report
Chromium Water Filters & Systems

Need More Help with Filtering Hexavalent Chromium in Tap Water? Call to speak with a Certified Water Specialist 1-877-335-3339

Chromium 6 Tap Water News Updates

United States Senators Boxer and Feinstein Call on EPA to Address Chromium 6 Contamination in Drinking Water. 12-21-2010
Head of the EPA likely tighten drinking water standards to address carcinogen hexavalent chromium detected in the tap water of 31 cities. 1-6-2011

Chromium Water Treatment: Trivalent chromium (Cr+3)can be removed from drinking water with a strong acid cation resin regenerated with hydrochloric acid. Hexavalent Chromium in water (Cr+6) on the other hand requires the utilization of a strong base anion exchanger which must be regenerated with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) NaOH. Reverse Osmosis can effectively reduce both forms of chromium in water by 90 to 97%. Water Distillation (Water Distillers) will also reduce chromium in drinking water.The Doulton B-2 Fluoride/Heavy Metal filter cartridge can also be utilized with a limited capacity of 400 gallons or a period of 6 months.

United States Map of Chromium Water Contamination

Hexavalent Chromium or Chromium-6 has been found in 31 of 35 U.S. cities. The highest levels were detected in Norman, OK; Honolulu, HI; and Riverside, CA.

hexavalent chromium water contamination map

Additional Reading and Resources about Hexavalent Chromium Water Contamination

Chromium-6 in U.S. Tap Water
EWG's Guide to Safe Drinking Water

Chromium Water Filter Systems
If you are concerned about chromium in your drinking water, the FDA recommends installing a home water filtration system that has been certified to remove chromium-6 (hexvalent chromium). We offer NSF and the Water Quality Association certified reverse osmosis systems and water distillers.

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