Chromium 6 in your water: What you need to know

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), potentially dangerous levels of Chromium 6 has

been found in the tap water of over 200 million Americans. Most of the contaminated tap water is found in cities, so if you live near a city, your water is most likely contaminated. Research conducted by the Environmental Working Group suggests that at current levels of contamination, roughly 12,000 people will get cancer from drinking the tainted water. But even that may underestimate the risk: Chromium 6 is absorbed through the skin, and through the lungs when inhaled as a vapor in the shower. Because of this, your best bet for protecting yourself and your family from it is to get a whole home filtration system.

Life Ionizer Owners Can install Life’s Heavy Metals  Super Filter as a prefilter for their machine to add chromium 6 filtration to their ionizer.

How chromium 6 affects your body

Chromium 6 readily penetrates cell membranes, so it can be absorbed by contact with skin, by ingestion, or inhalation. The number 6 refers to this toxic metal’s oxidation state. It represents the number of electrons that the chromium lost when it became oxidized. Six is a very high oxidation state, and that makes chromium 6 a potent Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). It is the high oxidation state of chromium 6 that makes it such a dangerous carcinogen. Even in tiny amounts, it sets off a toxic chain reaction that mutates tissues and DNA, and that mutation leads to cancer.

Chronic inhalation of chromium 6 leads to lung cancer. When consumed in drinking water, it can cause cancers of the mouth, stomach, and intestines, liver and lymph nodes. In the stomach, gastric acids break chromium 6 down to chromium 3, which is actually an essential nutrient! But the problem is, not all of it is broken down, so some is able to reach the intestines, where it is absorbed into the body.

How much chromium 6 is dangerous?

Scientists disagree about how what’s the “safe” level of chromium 6 in water. The EPA set a standard of 100 parts per billion, which nearly all scientists say is way too high. California sets the legal limit at 10 parts per billion, but there are studies that suggest that even that is too high. Ultimately, California has set a goal (not a requirement) of 0.02 parts per billion. That level is endorsed by EWG, because it would pose only a “negligible risk over a lifetime of consumption.”

Where has chromium 6 been found?

The EWG reports that chromium 6 has been found in almost 90% of municipal water systems nationwide. The states with the highest concentrations are Arizona, California, and Oklahoma. Among cities, Phoenix had the highest levels, at 7.853 parts per billion, followed by St. Louis County in Missouri, with 1.258 parts per billion. Houston reported 0.747 parts per billion, followed by Philadelphia, with 0.388 parts per billion, Dallas had 0.274 parts per billion, and the South Coast water district in California showed 0.223 parts per billion. Columbus Ohio had 0.207 parts per billion, followed by Las Vegas, with 0.203 parts per billion. Chicago, San Antonio, Fairfax County Virginia and Cleveland all had between 0.20 and 0.10 parts per billion, which is still between 10 – 20 times the public health goal set in California of 0.02 parts per billion.  The EWG reports that their testing suggested that chromium 6 contamination may even be more widespread than their current data shows, and that almost no one is safe.

Filters that remove chromium 6

The most effective filters that remove chromium 6 are ion-exchange filters such as Life Ionizers Super Filter, and our Dolphin Whole Home filtration system. Ion exchange is a relatively new technology, and Life Ionizers is one of the very few companies that offer it nationwide. Another option is Reverse Osmosis filtration. RO systems are good for treating drinking water, but they aren’t able to provide whole home filtration.  For whole home filtration, an ion-exchange system like Life’s Dolphin whole home filtration system is your only option. Granular Activated Carbon filters aren’t effective at reducing chromium 6 in water, ion-exchange and reverse osmosis are your only options.

Life Ionizer Owners can install Life’s Heavy Metals Ionizers Super Filter as a prefilter for their machine to add chromium 6 filtration to their ionizer.

Want to know if chromium 6 has been found in your water? Call us at 877-959-7977 for a free no obligation consultation.