Chromium 6 is a highly carcinogenic chemical that can cause serious health issues when consumed via drinking water. Naturally, this means that you need to take drastic measures to remove it from your drinking water.
So, how do you ensure there’s no chromium 6 in your drinking water? The 2 easiest and most effective ways to remove chromium 6 from drinking water are reverse osmosis filtration and ion exchange water treatment.
Let’s take a look at how each process works.
| Chromium 6 Removal Method | The Best Product |
|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis | Waterdrop G3 800 or Aquatru RO System |
| Ion Exchange (Water Softener) | Springwell SS1 Water Softener |
1. Reverse Osmosis Filtration
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are an excellent way to remove chromium 6 from drinking water. The RO process usually includes at least one activated carbon and one sediment filter designed to remove large quantities of contaminants.
The water then passes through a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores that trap contaminant particles like arsenic, fluoride, and chromium 6. As water molecules are smaller than these particles, clean water can pass through the membrane.
However, these systems produce lots of wastewater. In fact, most consumer-grade filtration systems generate up to 15 gallons of unusable water that needs to be disposed of. Plus, the RO process removes beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium alongside contaminants.
That being said, the benefits of this type of filtration easily outweigh the cons, and reverse osmosis is one of the best ways to get rid of chromium 6 in water.
If you decide that an RO system is the right choice for you, we’d recommend either the Waterdrop G3P800, Aquatru RO System, or any of the products mentioned in our reverse osmosis systems buyer's guide.
2. Ion Exchange Process
Another effective way to rid your drinking water of chromium 6 is to use an ion exchange water treatment unit. However, not all ion exchange filters are capable of removing chromium 6.
You need to use one specifically designed for this purpose. The best way to ensure this is to choose an ion exchange filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or find a water filter that the manufacturer specifically states can remove chromium 6, such as the SpringWell SS1 Water Softener.
Here’s how the ion-exchange process removes chromium 6 particles from water:
- First, the water flows through a chamber filled with negatively charged resin beads. These beads attract positively charged ions such as chromium 6.
- As the water passes through the chamber, the chromium 6 ions exchange places with harmless ions that are attached to the resin beads.
- The chromium 6 ions remain attached to the resin beads, and chromium-free water flows out of the chamber.
While ion exchange filters are highly effective at removing chromium 6, there are some downsides. For example, the resin must be regularly flushed and replaced to maintain the system’s effectiveness. Additionally, like RO systems, ion exchange filters also produce a substantial amount of wastewater that must be disposed of.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Chromium 6?
The cost of removing chromium 6 from drinking water depends on the type of filtration system you use.
On average, a basic under-sink RO system costs around $120 to $360. A more high-end system with additional features like a remineralizer can cost as much as $720 to $1,200. The price range for ion exchange filters that specifically target chromium 6 is around $200 to $1,000+.
You also need to factor in the cost of professional installation. This varies widely depending on your existing plumbing system, the complexity of the system, and the specific labor rates of the company you use.
Plus, RO and ion exchange systems both require regular filter and resin replacements. The price of these replacements can vary from $10 to $100, which can significantly increase the costs of these systems over time.
How to Test for Chromium 6 in Water
The easiest way to test your water for chromium 6 is to use an at-home water testing kit. You can find them online, at local hardware and home improvement stores. Although these tests are convenient, they don’t tend to be very accurate, and you may have to conduct several tests to get reliable results.
The best and safest way to test your water is to contact your local health department for home water testing. Or, you can send a water sample to an EPA-certified lab to get the most accurate and detailed results.
If the test results show that your water is contaminated by chromium 6, then you should consider one of the solutions we discussed above.
How Does Chromium 6 Contaminate Drinking Water?
Chromium 6 occurs naturally in plants, rocks, and soil. When these natural materials erode, chromium 6 leaches into the water table and, as a result, ends up in municipal and well water supplies. However, the real threat emerges when it’s used for an industrial purpose and carelessly disposed of.
One such example happened in Hinkley, California, in the 1990s and caused a contamination crisis. An Investigation led by Erin Brockovich resulted in a class-action lawsuit against the industrial plant, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).
The plant used chromium 6 as a rust suppressor and dumped the wastewater into the surrounding ponds of Hinkley. The wastewater contained an extremely large amount of chromium 6, which seeped into groundwater and caused severe health issues for the Hinkley residents.
In addition to careless disposal, chromium 6 may also be discharged from:
- Chrome plating
- Dye and painting pigments
- Inadequate storage
What Are The Health Effects of Drinking Chromium 6 Contaminated Water?
Exposure to chromium 6 causes significant damage to the respiratory tract. The nature of the damage might vary from slight irritations on the inside of the nose to more severe problems like asthma.
Moreover, since it’s a highly carcinogenic chemical, it also increases the risk of cancer. A study done in 2015 revealed that workers exposed to chromium 6 had a higher risk of developing stomach cancer. In addition, evidence shows it heightens the risks of lung and nasal cancers.
Plus, it can cause reproductive complications by inducing apoptosis in male somatic and spermatogonial stem cells. As a result, there’s severe damage to sperm production, which affects the ability to reproduce.
What Is Been Done to Regulate Chromium 6?
There is no federal standard regulating the consumable amount of chromium 6, but the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made efforts to regulate it. According to the EPA, the total amount of chromium 6 in drinking water shouldn’t exceed 0.1 milligrams per liter or 100 parts per billion.
California lawmakers have taken extra steps to ensure the safety of drinking water. They established the maximum contaminant level of chromium 6 at 10 parts per billion.
In addition, the EPA regulates the waste and exposure to Chromium 6 on many fronts:
- Clean Air Act
- Clean Water Act
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986
- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Toxic Substances Control Act
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, consumers must be provided with annual reports on water quality, source of water, and any contaminants found in the water. These reports are delivered by public or private water suppliers.
Popular Questions About Filtering Chromium 6
Do PUR filters remove Chromium 6?
PUR water filters certified by the National Science Foundation can reduce up to 70 chemical substances but don’t remove chromium 6. Most faucet and countertop filters that use activated carbon can’t remove chromium 6.
Do Brita filters remove Chromium 6?
While Brita filters are highly rated, they use a carbon filter that cannot remove chromium 6 from water.
Do Berkey filters remove Chromium 6?
Because Berkey filters use gravity filters, their water filtration systems can reduce chromium 6 levels in water. Berkey filters contain upwards of six media types, including an ion exchange resin, that target chromium 6 particles.
Do Zero Water filters remove Chromium 6?
Zero Water filters are rigorously tested per the National Science Foundation’s protocols. They claim to remove 99% of chromium from drinking water.
These filters work much like the Berkey filter, absorbing chromium 6 before it reaches the reservoir chamber. Zero Water and Berkey filters are cost-effective options for removing chromium 6 from drinking water.
