hexavalent chromium
Carcinogenic industrial pollutant
Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of the element chromium in which each atom has lost six electrons.
It appears in industrial processes like chrome plating, welding, and leather tanning.
Exposure causes lung cancer and other serious health effects.
The compound gained public attention through the Erin Brockovich case involving contaminated groundwater.
Also called chromium-6 or Cr(VI).
Water in underground rock
- soil contaminationToxins degrading ground quality
- PG&ECalifornia electric utility
- plumeOrnamental feather or rising column
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
Erin Brockovich · leaching · effluent · bioaccumulation · sediment · brownfield · drinking water · well water
Malignant growth in chest
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- malignantHarmfully invasive, often fatal
- carcinomaEpithelial malignant tumor
- adenocarcinomaGlandular tissue malignancy
mutagenic · cytotoxic · DNA damage · apoptosis · biopsy · cancer cluster · epidemiology · latency period
Electrically depositing metal layers
- stainless steelRust-proof iron alloy
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
- leather tanningProcessing raw hides chemically
- welding fumesGases from metal fusion
anodizing · corrosion-resistant · aerospace · automotive · refractory · cooling towers · anti-corrosion
Making something smaller
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- activated carbonPorous charcoal for filtration
- chemical treatmentApplying substances to transform materials
excavation · containment · detoxification · cleanup · electrochemical · precipitation
Federal environmental regulator
- OSHAFederal workplace safety regulator
- ppbConcentration in billionths
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- workplace safetyHarm prevention at jobs
air monitoring · personal protective equipment · ventilation · emission limits · enforcement · exposure assessment
groundwater
Water in underground rock
- soil contaminationToxins degrading ground quality
- PG&ECalifornia electric utility
- plumeOrnamental feather or rising column
Erin Brockovich · aquifer · leaching · effluent · bioaccumulation · sediment · brownfield · drinking water · well water · migration
lung cancer
Malignant growth in chest
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- malignantHarmfully invasive, often fatal
- carcinomaEpithelial malignant tumor
adenocarcinoma · mutagenic · cytotoxic · DNA damage · apoptosis · biopsy · cancer cluster · epidemiology · latency period · dose-response
electroplating
Electrically depositing metal layers
- stainless steelRust-proof iron alloy
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
- leather tanningProcessing raw hides chemically
welding fumes · anodizing · corrosion-resistant · aerospace · automotive · refractory · cooling towers · anti-corrosion
reduction
Making something smaller
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- activated carbonPorous charcoal for filtration
chemical treatment · excavation · containment · detoxification · cleanup · electrochemical · precipitation
EPA
Federal environmental regulator
- OSHAFederal workplace safety regulator
- ppbConcentration in billionths
- complianceAdhering to requirements
workplace safety · air monitoring · personal protective equipment · ventilation · emission limits · enforcement · exposure assessment
- welding hazardsUV radiation, burns, electric shock, fumes, sparks
- chromium compounds