Illinois Health & Safety Expert Helps Midwest Companies Comply with Hexavalent Chromium Standards

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 8, 2012 - Last year, Chicago conducted their first round of testing for hexavalent chromium in local drinking water.  To the surprise of many, some samples contained levels more than 11 times higher than a health standard that has been adopted by California.

Not only is hexavalent chromium a concern in drinking water, but many Illinois workers may be exposed to this material at work in industrial plants and on construction sites.  Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium compounds are man-made and widely used in many different industries. Industrial uses of the material include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers, and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating.

Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when performing welding on stainless steel or melting chromium metal. In these situations, the chromium is not originally hexavalent, but the high temperatures involved in the process result in oxidation that converts the chromium to a hexavalent state.

A leading provider of hexavalent chromium testing services in Chicago and across the
Midwest is EC2, Inc.  “Workers exposed to hexavalent chromium can develop lung cancer; irritation and damage to the nose, throat, lungs, and skin; and even develop chrome ulcers if the material is exposed to non-intact skin,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2.  “The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has developed standards regarding worker exposure to hexavalent chromium.  EC2 can help companies comply with these standards through monitoring and testing serives.”

EC2 has sponsored an online video about hexavalent chromium and health risks due to exposure that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/1G8bq7rM5w8




To learn more about hexavalent chromium or other environmental, health and safety, and indoor air quality (IAQ) services, please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States.  Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 Corporations.