Special Report: Bottled Water: Chromium 6 and bottled water: Treatment options for a controversial pollutant

An examination of the characteristics of Chromium 6 and removal strategies.

Chromium 6 has recently entered the consciousness of politicians and the public. However, controversy reigns as to just how toxic this substance is. Let’s review the scientific data, and examine some ways bottled water producers can be sure to protect their customers.

Chromium is a metallic element that occurs naturally in association with iron. Acting as a chemical cation, it freely surrenders its outer electrons to anions willing to receive them.

This process leaves the chromium with three positive charges (III or trivalent) or six positive charges (VI or hexavalent).

· Chromium (III) is a mineral nutrient essential to cell membrane receptor sites stimulated by insulin. In the absence of Cr(III), tissues resist insulin’s influence. Blood sugar cannot enter cells to be metabolized and signs of Type II diabetes may appear.

· Chromium (VI) is a by-product of industrial processes - forging stainless steel, chrome plating, manufacturing dyes and pigments, tanning leather, producing photographic materials, and staining wood. Potassium dichromate is the salt from which other chromium salts are made.

Human exposure

Particles of Cr(VI) are scattered through the air within and surrounding industrial plants, settling on land and water. While most of these particles cling to the soil, some sink into underground aquifers.

Workers can be exposed to chromium dust in the air of industrial plants using dichromate salts by breathing in the materials or by skin contact.

Persons living in the vicinity of such industrial facilities or uncontrolled waste sites may also be exposed via airborne dust and water contamination.

Removal methods at bottling plants

As drinking water is subject to innumerable contamination agents, it is imperative that water treatment facilities and producers of bottled water take all reasonable measures to protect consumers.

According to government agencies involved in water purity and health, there are straightforward methods for removing Cr(VI) from water intended for human consumption.

Although micro-filtration is considered inadequate to the task, reverse osmosis and deionization are considered effective in removing Cr(VI).

Dr. Herb Joiner-Bey is an author, educator and speaker in classical homeopathy, therapeutic nutrition, and Western botanical medicine.

William (Bill) D. Holloway, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Bio-Hydration Research Lab, Inc.

Toxic effects of Chromium 6

The toxic effects of chromium dust on humans exhibit the following symptoms:

· Thick muco-pus from respiratory membranes;

· Punched-out, penetrating ulcers on mucous membranes;

· Holes in the nasal septum and small bones defining the nasal and oral cavities;

· Nosebleeds;

· Pains wandering throughout the body in small spots.

Industrial workers exposed to chromate dust have a lung cancer rate twenty times that of the general population.

- W.H. and H.J.