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Remove Chromium-6 from Drinking WaterThe study by the Environmental Working Group -- the first nationwide analysis measuring the presence of the chemical in US water systems -- is to be made public on Monday, the daily reported. The group found hexavalent chromium in the tap water of 31 out of 35 cities sampled. Of those, 25 had levels that exceeded the goal proposed in California, which has been trying aggressively to reduce the chemical in its water supply. The federal Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether to set a limit for hexavalent chromium in tap water. The agency is reviewing the chemical after the National Institutes of Health, deemed it a "probable carcinogen" in 2008. About Chromium-6Chromium-6 (also known as Hexavalent chromium) is transported into cells via the sulfate transport mechanisms, taking advantage of the similarity of sulfate and chromate with respect to their structure and charge. Chromium-6 compounds are genotoxic carcinogens. Chronic inhalation of hexavalent chromium compounds increases risk of lung cancer (lungs are especially vulnerable, followed by fine capillaries in kidneys and intestine). According to some researchers, the damage is caused by hydroxyl radicals, produced during reoxidation of pentavalent chromium by hydrogen peroxide molecules present in the cell. Strontium chromate is the strongest carcinogen of the chromates used in industry.How to Remove Chromium-6 from Drinking WaterAccording to drinking water experts, the best way to remove chromium-6 from your drinking water is through reverse osmosis (RO). Steam distillation is also a recommended treatment, but much more expensive and time consuming. Our recommendation for the best value in reverse osmosis water purifiers is the ClearChoice Premium 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System. With a pricepoint of $199.95 and all of the features you'd find in a much more expensive unit, the clearchoice is great value for your money and will let you rest without worrying that you're drinking chromium-6 with every glass of water.ClearChoice Premium 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System Model CC-4TFC50GPD Priced from only US$199.95! - Click here for more information or to purchase
The ClearChoice reverse osmosis water filter system offers premium quality drinking water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water and without the hassle of re-filling bottles. Bottled-water quality drinking water will be right at your fingertips anytime you need it, for drinking, cooking, and more. Its compact size makes it a great choice for use in homes, cottages, recreational properties, and RVs!  Reverse osmosis, also known as nano or ultra-filtration, is the finest home water treatment system available. It uses the same technology as most commercial bottled water plants (but obviously on a smaller scale). Reverse osmosis systems are capable of removing most sediments and particulates down to less than 0.0005 microns as well as bacteria, viruses, Cryptosporidium, Giardia (Beaver fever), most heavy metals, asbestos, chlorine, fluoride, and a wide range of volatile organic compounds including many pesticides and herbicides. No home water treatment system offers such wide spectrum contaminant removal. Madison Wisconsin Water Utility reponse to Chromium-6 report“Madison’s drinking water meets or exceeds all current standards mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and we have never had a drinking water violation,” said Heikkinen. “Our water is routinely tested for nearly 200 chemical substances. The amount of testing performed by Madison as part of its water quality monitoring exceeds the regulatory requirements established by the EPA and the Wisconsin DNR.” This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What is Chromium and how is it used? Chromium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. The greatest use of chromium is in metal alloys such as stainless steel; protective coatings on metal; magnetic tapes; and pigments for paints, cement, paper, rubber, composition floor covering and other materials. Its soluble forms are used in wood preservatives. Why is Chromium being regulated? In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals. The MCLG for chromium has been set at 0.1 parts per million (ppm) because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health problems described below. Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible, considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies. The MCL has also been set at 0.1 ppm because EPA believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking water. These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these standards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations. What are the health effects? Short-term: EPA has found chromium to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: skin irritation or ulceration. Long-term: Chromium has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to liver, kidney circulatory and nerve tissues; skin irritation. How much Chromium is produced and released to the Environment? Production of the most water soluble forms of chromium, the chromate and dichromates, was in the range of 250,000 tons in 1992. Though chromium occurs in nature mostly as chrome iron ore and is widely found in soils and plants, it is rare in natural waters. The two largest sources of chromium emission in the atmosphere are from the chemical manufacturing industry and combustion of natural gas, oil, and coal. From 1987 to 1993, according to the Toxics Release Inventory, chromium compound releases to land and water totaled nearly 200 million pounds. These releases were primarily from industrial organic chemical industries. The largest releases occurred in Texas and North Carolina. The largest direct releases to water occurred in Georgia and Pennsylvania. What happens to Chromium when it is released to the environment? When released to land, chromium compounds bind to soil are not likely to migrate to ground water. They are very persistent in water as sediments. There is a high potential for accumulation of chromium in aquatic life. How will Chromium be detected in and removed from my drinking water? The regulation for chromium became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples once and analyze them to find out if chromium is present above 0.1 ppm. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months. If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of chromium so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing chromium: Coagulation/Filtration, Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening. How will I know if Chromium is in my drinking water? If the levels of chromium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health. This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Drinking Water Standards: MCLG: 0.1 ppm MCL: 0.1 ppm Chromium Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
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