Chromium-6 In Your Water

Chromium-6, also known as hexavalent chromium, is an unstable form of chromium, which is an element that occurs naturally in the environment.

There are other types of naturally-occurring chromium, but chromium-6 is commonly used and produced as a byproduct of industrial production. The stainless steel industry, and any other manufacturer of anti-corrosives, are the main cause of chromium-6-related industrial pollution.

It specifically targets respiratory and digestive systems, produces kidney and liver damage, skin reactions, and has been known to cause cancers targeting those areas. It’s especially dangerous for those already vulnerable members of the population like young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma.

Like many other metallic elements, it is odorless and tasteless when dissolved in water.

If you live near any kind of industrial manufacturer or processor, or if you live in an area that has been shown to be contaminated with chromium-6 in the past the best way to determine if it’s affecting you and your home is through a water test.

And while a certain trace amount of total chromium is allowable, and even safe, in water supplies the legal limit for chromium-6 in drinking water is 0.02 parts per billion (ppb). If your test results return anything above that, you’ll want to consider a solution to remove it.