![]() Unfortunately, if you have children in your household, the dangers of chromium in your drinking water are all the more real. Similar findings were observed in animal studies. Further, the sperm experienced lower motility, meaning they were less mobile and energetic.īoth of these conditions could result in lower fertility. Male workers who had been exposed to high levels of chromium at the workplace experienced a lower sperm count. Chromium Affects FertilityĬhromium 6 has been linked to male infertility. Chromium may be linked to other cancers as well. Both of these cancers have a high mortality rate. People exposed to high levels of chromium are more likely to suffer lung cancer and nasal sinus cancer. Most importantly, chromium 6 is a dangerous carcinogen, which means it can cause cancer. So, what are the effects of chromium, anyway? Let’s take a look. Fortunately, by using a filtration system, such as the Hague WaterMax® BEQ, you can reduce chromium levels. However, you couldn’t blame Maryland residents for wanting cleaner water. In many cases, the chromium levels reported fall on the right side of EPA guidelines. In fact, chromium 6 has been found in water provided by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The dangerous contaminant has been found in Baltimore, Bethesda, Annapolis, Bowie, Rockville, and many other cities in Prince George’s and Montgomery County. Unfortunately, a report found that chromium 6, the very same carcinogen at the center of the Brockovich lawsuit, has been found in city water across Maryland. Residents suffered higher cancer rates than the general population, and chromium exposure may have resulted in other medical conditions as well. The hexavalent chromium compounds that residents were exposed to were genotoxic carcinogens. Pacific Gas and Electric was forced to pay $333 million after wastewater contaminated with hexavalent chromium leaked into nearby groundwater. The chromium exposure uncovered by the real-life Erin Brockovich resulted in the largest ever direct action lawsuit settlement. Chromium is a dangerous substance and the residents of Hinkley, California were exposed to high levels of chromium due to negligence. This heavy metal was the subject of the classic movie “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts.ĭrinking water might not sound like the most exciting topic for a hit movie, but there’s a reason the film drew so much attention. Even if hexavalent chromium doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve probably heard about it before. One of the most dangerous contaminants, especially for Maryland residents, is hexavalent chromium (AKA chromium 6). Even if the water is leaving the water processing plant clean, it may be contaminated by old or leaking pipes and the like. This is especially true if you’re relying on city water in Maryland. Learn more about the peer-reviewed research on Cr(VI).Unfortunately, the water coming out of your tap may be contaminated with various heavy metals and other pollutants. This draft IRIS assessment for hexavalent chromium is at odds with the findings of over 30 peer-reviewed studies, which support a threshold for effects and a non-linear, dose-dependent response. The IRIS program, however, has a troubling history of being out of step with the best available science and methods, lacking transparency, and being unresponsive to peer review and stakeholder recommendations. The EPA’s IRIS program identifies human health hazards associated with a substance. In October 2022, the EPA released a draft Cr(VI) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of oral and inhalation exposure for public comment. ![]() The EPA’s IRIS Assessment for Hexavalent Chromium See what various regulatory agencies have to say about hexavalent chromium here. The EPA, for example, has a drinking water standard of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for total chromium. The human body naturally detoxifies low levels of Cr(VI) into non-toxic Cr(III), no matter the source. Cr(III), also known as trivalent chromium, can also be naturally present in drinking water and is a micronutrient that is essential for metabolism. National and international regulatory agencies have set drinking water standards to protect the public from all forms of chromium (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) in drinking water. drinking water supplies contain naturally occurring chromium. There are two potential sources of hexavalent chromium in drinking water – natural sources such as rocks, minerals, and other geology, and localized industrial runoff. Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a form of the element chromium, which is one of the most abundant chemical elements found in the earth’s crust. ![]()
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