Hexavalent Chromium - Report Example

Hexavalent Chromium A. Introduction Hexavalent Chromium is one of the Hexavalent chromium compounds, whose existence is in different structures and configurations. One of the reasons why Hexavalent Chromium is in the limelight, more than other chromium compounds and complexes is because of the fact that it has many practical industrial uses (Edwards 27). Most dyes, paints and inks have this chromate in them, which forms the color pigment. Also, in the manufacture of plastics, this compound is also used to give color variations in different plastics. Not only is Hexavalent Chromium used for coloring purposes, but it is also a preservative in paints. The compound ensures that paints and other coatings last for long on the surfaces onto which they are applied, especially metal surfaces. This is because this compound makes paint to resist corrosion and abrasion (Guyer 97). It is also used for decorative purposes on the metal surfaces, especially when it is electroplated onto these surfaces. Hexavalent Chromium is also formed during some industrial processes automatically. For instance, when doing welding or smelting on steel and chromium metals, this compound forms as a by product of the heat reaction and oxidation. Hexavalent Chromium is also used to coat wastewater tanks and waste water pipes because of the nature it has of resisting corrosive compounds. This property also makes it suitable for use in finishing of metals by coating them in a thin layer (Guyer 101). Other areas in which it is used for preservation include leather tanning, textile manufacture and in wood. It is also used as the major pigment in the yellow road marking paint, and it is also used to preserve this paint because of the harsh weather and mechanical conditions it is subjected to. However, exposure to Hexavalent Chromium is very dangerous to the health, and it is one of the compounds that are in the limelight of environmental and health organizations and bodies (Rom 1072). B. Overview Forms of chromium The chromium element occurs in three major forms. These include metallic chromium (valency zero), trivalent chromium (valency three), and hexavalent chromium (valency six). The first one does not occur naturally; it has to be deliberately formed in chemical and physical processes. The second form occurs naturally unlike the first form, and it is found in its natural form in deposits in the earth (Edwards 29). Such deposits include the soil, specific rocks and in living organisms (flora and fauna). This naturally occurring chromium compound can be turned into Hexavalent Chromium simply be heating the compound with other minerals. The trivalent chromium has nutritional benefits to human beings and to some plants. The third form, Hexavalent Chromium, is simply a compound of chromium that has a valency of six (+6), also known as the hexavalent state (Guyer 106). Most people do not understand the whole concept of Hexavalent Chromium. However, there is a simple way through which this can be made palatable to the nonprofessional. Chromium naturally occurs in a trivalent state, meaning that chromium is originally found in valency three (Guyer 106). When some heat reactions occur in specific physical conditions, some reactions occur to this trivalent chromium and another form of chromium is “birthed,” in the valency six (Hexavalent Chromium). However, this new form of chromium is not stable or permanent, and within several hours or days, it goes back to its original form, which is trivalent. Most of the times, this reaction happens in a manner similar to radioactive decay, where half-life is involved. The estimated half-life for chromium 6 is about 18 days, and this means that after 18 days, half of the atoms in the Hexavalent Chromium will have gone back to the trivalent state (Rom 1084). Health Issues The Hexavalent Chromium form is not, in itself, harmful to your health, but absorption rates into the body via the digestive tract or the skin are very high. The trivalent form is the one that is somewhat harmful; but it cannot penetrate the skin into the human body. However, Hexavalent Chromium is treated a harmful because of the chemical analogy given above. This is because once Hexavalent Chromium finds its way into your body by whichever means and in whichever capacity, it goes back into the trivalent form when it is in your system, and this result to development of diseases and conditions (Edwards 37). Some of the symptoms that show presence of trivalent chromium infections include irritation to every mucous membrane (nostrils, lungs, and throat) in your respiratory system, and this can result to serious conditions like lung cancer. In addition, the sensitive tissues of the eye organ are endangered, and your skin displays allergic reactions to this compound (Meltzer 179). In addition, other organs like the liver and kidney are at the risk of being damaged. Discoloration of teeth is also another symptom of trivalent chromium infection. In extreme cases, deafness is a symptom because of the fact that this compound damages the eardrums by making them brittle, and hence causing those to be perforated (Guyer 110). OSHA Standards of Exposure Exposure to this dangerous hexavalent chromium compound occurs in many ways, but these ways can be grouped into two major channels: inhalation and ingestion. When contaminate air is breathed in, this compound is likely to get into the system. In addition, consumption of food or water that has hexavalent chromium in its absorbable form is also a way through which infection can occur (Meltzer 185). Not only are the workers who are exposed to hexavalent chromium in their work places at risk. The society too is at risk, and this is how. When a worker in an industry in which exposure to hexavalent chromium is present goes home from work in the evening (or whichever time), this person carries unseen particles of this compound on their clothes. They brush shoulders with many people in public transport systems and they take some of the particles home to their families (Edwards 49). Other clothes and surface are infected, and this puts every member of the family and any visitor at risk. These clothes are taken to the laundry, and other people there get the contamination. In addition, the wastewater from laundering and from the industries gets into the ground and is then absorbed by the plants after which it gets to the human beings by ingestion. The cycle goes on and on, and you find people who have never worked in such an industry getting infections related to hexavalent chromium and trivalent chromium (Rom 1088). There is no one-control measure that can be taken to prevent exposure to hexavalent chromium. However, the two major ways that can help reduce the risk of exposure by a huge percentage is by always ensuring proper ventilation in homes, offices, workplaces, et cetera and by reducing the use of materials that are made from chrome (Guyer 124). Those in administration of industries can ensure that they limit, according to OSHA standards, the time in which the works are exposed to this material. In addition, there are many types of protective gear that industries can use to protect the workers from exposure by inhalation (using respirators) and from absorption by the skin (using gloves and other protective clothing) (Meltzer 191). Most industries comply with OSHA standards by ensuring that the standards for exposure are met. OSHA also ensures that these standards are met by regularly going through the medical records of the employees of these industries. Limits of exposure According to research findings by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, urban areas have over 0.02 micrograms per cubic meter of chromium in the environment (Meltzer 194). The EPA has set the standard for maximum exposure to be at one microgram per cubic meter of hexavalent chromium. The safe levels can go up to 100 micrograms per cubic meter, but this low standard is set for safety purposes (Guyer 133). C. Summary Though most reports imply that the hexavalent chromium is mainly produced from industries, there is no solid proof that this is the major source. After all, hexavalent chromium occurs in its primary form, trivalent chromium naturally in soil, rocks, and other organic sources. The development and spread of this compound cannot be stopped, but preventive measures can be taken. Those who work in industries where they are under a lot of exposure should take it upon themselves to take charge of their health by going for regular check ups. In addition, they should avoid working in such environments for more than ten years. In addition, loved ones should be protected by ensuring that safety zones in the industries are used well, and that contaminated clothing is not taken home. Tap water should also be purified before drinking to prevent ingestion of contaminated water. Works Cited Edwards, Siedel. Occurrence Survey of Boron and Hexavalent Chromium. New York: American Water Works Association, 2006. Guyer, Horward. Industrial processes and waste stream management. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2001. Meltzer, Michael. Metal-bearing waste streams: minimizing, recycling, and treatment. New York: William Andrew, 2000. Rom, William. Environmental and occupational medicine. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007. Rose, John. Environmental health: the impact of pollutants. California: Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, 2000. Read More