New Way to Clean Cancer-Causing Chromium From Drinking Water

    Chromium is an odorless, tasteless metallic element. One form, chromium-3, is essential to human health and is often included in multi-vitamins. Cancer-causing chromium-6, infamous from the California exposure and Hollywood movie about Erin Brockovich, occurs naturally but is also produced in high quantities by industry, and can contaminate both soil and groundwater.
    An engineer at Washington University in St. Louis has found a new way to convert the dangerous chromium-6 into chromium-3 in drinking water, making it safer for human consumption.
    It’s a novel approach, using electricity. Engineers are having success with a new method of electrocoagulation.