Most people, when they think of chrome or chromium, think of the silver shine on the bumper of older cars. However, though most of this chromium has been replaced with veneer, the metal is still used in manufacturing and can be dangerous when ingested in excessive amounts.
Chromium is very good at combining with other elements to form chromium compounds since its valance is anywhere from -2 to +6. It usually, however, combines with a valance of +6 (as in K2Cr04 potassium chromate) or +3 (as in CrCl3 chromium chloride). Valance is the charge it takes in combining with elements to form compounds.
Chromium is readily used in manufacturing. A list could begin with photography, leather tanning, chrome plating, and the manufacture of catalysts, paints, fungicides, glass, and ceramics. The traditional yellow school bus was, for years, painted with lead chromate (PbCrO4) because the color didn’t fade and was bright and attention grabbing. However, when the information below was discovered, the paint was replaced with other pigments.
Chromium gets into the air through aerosols but precipitation easily removes it. Rainwater contains generally less than a microgram of chrome per liter. However, chrome in water is a different story. Note this: surface water may contain two micrograms of chromium per liter. Groundwater has less than 1 microgram/liter. However, near plants using chromium in their manufacturing as much as 40 to 80 micrograms/liter have been found. Though we take in the most chromium compounds through the food we eat, nearly10% can be ingested through our water supplies.
Chromium is certainly not all bad. In fact, Chromium (III) is important to our bodies to help us use sugar, protein, and fat. At least 50–200 µg of chromium (III) each day is recommended for adults. Less than this may result in decreased growth, weight loss, nervous system malfunction, or a condition similar to diabetes. Therefore, chromium (III) compounds have been used as dietary supplements and are beneficial if taken in recommended dosages. Excessive amounts even of helpful chromium (III), can harm the body.
However, other forms of chromium, especially chromium (VI) can be harmful. “Calcium chromate, chromium trioxide, lead chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate are known human carcinogens. An increase in the incidence of lung cancer has been observed among workers in industries that produce chromate and manufacture pigments containing chromate.”
Here are some other problems related to excessive intake of chromium: liver problems (
elevated hepatic enzymes), renal failure (kidney failure), hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets), changes in thought processes, chest pain, gastrointestinal disorders, erythema/flushing/rash, headache, dizziness, agitation, and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle fibers that can lead to kidney damage).
Chromium, like other heavy metals, may have other lasting negative effects on the health yet unknown to us. How much chromium VI are you ingesting daily? I checked our city water quality report but chromium was not on the list. Hopefully a safe level has been set. But our family installed an activated charcoal filter for our drinking and cooking water, just to be on the safe side.
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