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Chrominimum
Chris Nicholatos 11/29/99
Mr. Cicero Block-D
Chromium
Chromium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing
other elements. Chromium is a steel-gray, hard metal that is very brittle. It
is classified as a heavy metal. After its refined from the ore chromite its
compounds are used in leather tanning and manufacturing of chromic acid,
pigments, and corrosion-resistant chrome products. The greatest use of
chromium is in metal alloys such as magnetic tapes, paint pigments, cement,
paper, and stainless steel.
It is also used as an ingrediant in drilling mud, which is used to drill
oil wells. Humans do need a certain amount of trivalent chromium to
maintain good health. Although, in other forms, chromium can be toxic for
humans. Workers in chromium products facilities have increased risks of
cancer of the lungs and nose.
In 1974, Congess passes the Safe Drinking Water Act. This act
required EPA to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which
might cauase health problems. These levels are called Maximum
Contaminant Level Goals or MCLGs'. The MCLG for chromium is 0.1
parts per million or PPMs'. At this level there is no potential for health
problems.
This and all other standards for water quality are called National
Primary Drinking Water Gegulations. All public water supplies must abide
by these regulations.
Short-term effects can include, but are not limited to, skin irritation or
ulceration. This occurs when a person is exposed to chromium at levels that
exceed MCL standards for a relatively short period of time. Long-term
effects can include, but are not limited to, damage to liver, kidneys,
circulatory and nerve tissue, and skin irratation. This occurs when a person
is exposed to chromium at level above MCL standards over a lifetime.
Production of chromium contaminated water was about 250,000 tons
in 1992. Chromium occurs mostly as chrome iron ore and is widley found in
soils and plants, it is rare in natural water. The two largest sources of
chromium emissions in the atmosphere are fom the chemical manufacturing
industry and combustion of natural gas, oil, and coal. From 1987 to 1993,
according to the Toxic Release Inventory, chromium compound released to
land and water totaled nearly 200 million pounds. The releases were
primarily from industrial organic chemical industries.
The largest releases occurred in Texas and North Carolina. The
largest direct release to water occurred in Georgia and Pennsylvania. When
released to land, chromium compounds bind to soil are not likely to migrate
to ground water. They are very persistant in water as sediments. There is a
high potential for accumulation of chromuim in aquatic life.
Now, EPA monitors your drinking water supply. They take samples
and analyze the water to make sure the chromium levels do not exceed MCL
standards of 0.1 ppm. If the levels are exceeded the officials must take steps
to reduce the contamination. Some steps that have been approved by the
EPA for the removal of chromium are: Coagulation/Filtration, Ion
Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening.
Also, when chromium levels exceed health standards EPA must notify
the general public by newspaper, radio, television, or other means. Currently
Texas has the highest rate of toxins released into water and land. In closing
Massachusettes in general is not in any serious danger of contamination by
chromium. Only industrialzed cities and cities with nuclear power plants
and facilities. But since are current status is good in that department we
should do everything in our power to keep it that way.
Word Count: 579
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