Chromium 6 is a natural part of the environment and it is found in plants, volcanic dust, ash, rocks and animals. As a result of erosion, chromium spreads. The gradual destruction of something over time is what is defined as erosion and the process includes wind, water and other natural elements working together. Chromium 6 is also released unnaturally through a contribution of poor storage, leakage or inefficient practices of industrial waste. Today, we at AAA Water Team would like to share some fundamentals of chromium 6.
Chromium 3 VS Chromium 6
Chromium 6 should not be confused with chromium 3. Though both found naturally in the environment, chromium 3 is a healthy part of the human diet as it is found in meats, fruits, veggies and grains. Chromium 3 is beneficial to the digestive system, whereas chromium 6 is not. Chromium 6 is linked to various illnesses and diseases in contrast where it is known to do harm to development, reproductive problems, liver damage and lung cancer. Infants, children, people who use antacids and people with limited liver function are individuals that have an increased risk with exposure.
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Provisions
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) maintains standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Thus, the limits of contaminants in drinking water is set by the EPA and what is known as a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) is the maximum amount of any contaminant in water. For total forms of chromium, the EPA set a drinking water standard of 0.1 milligrams per liter. As a requirement, water systems to test for chromium where the EPA bases the MCLG on potential effects of exposure. A water test for your home’s water supply can discover the chromium in your water.
Chromium Toxicity
Chromium toxicity is a health condition that is caused from overexposure to chromium. This condition is also referred to as chromium poisoning, heavy metal poisoning and poisoning due to chromium. Major risk factors for chromium poisoning include environmental conditions including jobs such as industrial welders and workers because continuous skin contact or inhalation can lead to the poisoning. Chromium-6 ingested can manifest symptoms such as fever, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, intravascular hemolysis, circulatory collapse, and/or severe gastrointestinal ulcers or irritation. The heavy metal is absorbed by the bloodstream allows the Chromium-6 to enter the body. It then builds up in the body tissues, and absorbs rapidly unlike Chromium-3, which makes it harmful. To prevent chromium toxicity, eliminate the exposure to chromium. The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Tap Water Database found chromium-6 in 50 states and 9,855 utilities, impacting the drinking water of 250 million people in a study done between 2010 and 2015. More than three-fourths of water systems sampled showed chromium-6 contamination in a survey conducted by the EPA.
How to Treat Chromium 6 in Water
Traces of chromium-6 found in drinking water is reduced significantly with Reverse Osmosis water treatments. In general, reverse osmosis can be broken down in 4 parts, including; pre-filtration, reverse osmosis, drainage and storage. Not only does reverse osmosis help remove Chromium-6, but it also removes many different contaminants and metals from water such as lead, chlorine, mercury, sediment, and chloramine. Reverse osmosis removing the contaminates from water makes the water safer and healthier to drink, improves the taste, and is a cost-effective solution to protect you and your family from harmful contaminates that might be in your drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis & More in Golden Gate Estates, Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers & Lehigh Acres, Florida
If you are looking for reverse osmosis water treatments, call AAA Water Team and let our professionals take care of the rest. Contact us today!