Chromium VI

Overview Policy and Guidance Chemistry and Behavior Environmental Occurrence Toxicology Detection and Site Characterization Treatment Technologies Conferences and Seminars Additional Resources

Detection and Site Characterization

The purpose of this section is to identify online analytical methods that can be used for detecting, measuring, and/or monitoring chromium. The intent is not to provide an exhaustive list, but to identify well-established methods that are used as standards for analysis, particularly those used for environmental samples and approved by EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).More innovative methods are also included if their components are commercially available.

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Detection

Chromate Sampling Methods and Data Analysis
Carpenter, David, Karta Technology, Inc., San Antonio, TX.
NTIS: ADA397830, 21 pp, Sep 2001

The OSHA Ceiling Standard is found in 29 CFR 1910. 1000 Table Z-2, for chromic acid and chromate. The ACGIH Standard is more complex; based upon epidemiological studies, it considers chromates confirmed human carcinogens. Two analytical methods commonly used when quantifying chromate exposures are 1) a general metals screen, NIOSH Method 7300 and 2) a specific analysis for hexavalent chromium, NIOSH Method 7600. There are three different calculations depending upon the analytical method used.

Comparison of Three Sampling and Analytical Methods for the Determination of Airborne Hexavalent Chromium
James M. Boiano, Marjorie E. Wallace, W. Karl Sieber, Jensen H. Groff, Jin Wang, and Kevin Ashley.
Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2:329-333, 2000

A field study was conducted to compare the performance of two laboratory-based procedures (OSHA Method ID-215 and NIOSH Method 7605) and a field-portable method (NIOSH Method 7703). Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, no statistically significant differences were observed between mean values measured using each of the three methods. Small but statistically significant differences were noted between results obtained from performance evaluation samples for the NIOSH field method and the OSHA laboratory method.

Environmental Forensics: Contaminant-Specific Guide
Robert D. Morrison and Brian Murphy.
Elsevier Academic Press, Boston. ISBN: 0125077513, 576 pp, 2006

Environmental forensics is the application of scientific techniques for the purpose of identifying the source and age of a contaminant. This book discusses the following contaminants and contaminant groups: mercury, asbestos, lead, chromium, methane, radioactive compounds, pesticides, perchlorate, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic, chlorinated solvents, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, crude oil, gasoline, microbes, and compounds found in sewage.

Environmental Technology Verification Report: Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer—Niton XL Spectrum Analyzer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.
EPA 600-R-97-150, 93 pp, 1998
Contact: Teresa Harten, harten.teresa@epa.gov

Using the demonstration-derived precision RSD results and the coefficient of determination as the primary qualifiers to screen a suite of metals, the XL Spectrum Analyzer produced data of qualitative screening level for total chromium. Since a precision RSD value was not determined for chromium, no data quality level can be assigned.

Environmental Technology Verification Report: Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer—Spectrace TN 9000 and TN Pb Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzers
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.
EPA 600-R-97-145, 119 pp, 1998
Contact: Teresa Harten, harten.teresa@epa.gov

Using the demonstration-derived precision RSD results and the coefficient of determination as the primary qualifiers to screen a suite of metals, the TN 9000 produced data of qualitative screening level for total chromium. In the operation of these instruments, the user must be aware that FPXRF analyzers do not respond well to chromium and that detection limits may be 5 to 10 times greater than conventional laboratory methods.

European Virtual Institute for Speciation Analysis (EVISA)

EVISA: All About Chromium

Offers wide ranging information on chemical speciation issues including analytical methods and has 113 specific links for chromium.

Field Demonstration and Validation of a New Device for Measuring Water and Solute Fluxes, NASA LC-34 Site
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), 172 pp, 2006

ESTCP passive flux meter (PFM) demonstration and validation projects include MTBE flux measurement at Port Hueneme, perchlorate flux at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indianhead, and TCE flux at NASA Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral.

Guidance: UCMR Monitoring, Chemical Vulnerability, Cr(VI) Sample Collection and Preservation, and Screening for Cr(VI) with Total Chromium
California Dept. of Health Services. 4 pp., Jan 2001

Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI) Field Analytical Method for Bioenvironmental Engineers
Carlton, G.N.; L. Chaloux; J.M. Reichert; E.C. England; K. Greebon, Inst. for Environment Safety and Occupational Health Risk Analysis, Brooks AFB, TX.
IERA-RS-BR-TR-1999-0007, NTIS: ADA366806, 39 pp., 1999
Contact: Gary N. Carlton, Gary.Carlton@Tinker.AF.Mil

The Industrial Hygiene Branch, in a collaborative effort with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), developed a field analytical method to measure hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI), chromate) levels in air. The method uses ultrasonic extraction of sampling filters, solid-phase extraction of chromates from the extracted solution, and a determination of chromate concentrations by spectrophotometry. It is an alternative to NIOSH methods 7300 and 7600 and overcomes some of the disadvantages of these methods. The chromate field method is relatively easy to use, specific for CrVI, has a lower detection limit than NIOSH 7600, and allows analysis before there is a chance for significant sample degradation.

Mass Flux Toolkit to Evaluate Groundwater Impacts, Attenuation, and Remediation Alternatives
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), 2006

To help site managers and site consultants estimate mass flux and understand the uncertainty in those estimates, ESTCP has funded the development of a computerized Mass Flux Toolkit, free software that gives site personnel the capability to compare different mass flux approaches, calculate mass flux from transect data, and apply mass flux to manage ground-water plumes. The toolkit spreadsheet and associated documentation are available on the ESTCP contractor's website in a zipped file.

A New Cation-Exchange Method for Accurate Field Speciation of Hexavalent Chromium
U.S. Geological Survey
Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4018
Contact: James W. Ball, jwball@usgs.gov

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM), 4th Edition
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 94-113, 1994

Method 7024: Chromium and Compounds, as Cr
Contact: Mark Millson, mbm1@CDC.GOV
Method 7300: Elements by ICP
Contact: Mark Millson, mbm1@CDC.GOV
Method 7600: Hexavalent Chromium
Method 7703: Hexavalent Chromium by Field-Portable Spectrophotometry [2003 supplement]
Contact: Kevin Ashley, kea0@CDC.GOV

Method 1636: Determination of Hexavalent Chromium by Ion Chromatography
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water.
EPA 821-R-96-003, 30 pp, 1996
Contact: William A. Telliard, telliard.william@epa.gov

Review of Techniques to Characterize the Distribution of Chromate Contamination in the Vadose Zone of the 100 Areas at the Hanford Site
P.E. Dresel, M.J. Truex, and M.D. Sweeney.
PNNL-16760, 61 pp, 2007

Although the reviewers identified no fully developed methods in current use for vadose zone chromate characterization, the following technologies were recommended for additional evaluation and testing: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence, x-ray fluorescence, in situ specific conductance, high-resolution resistivity, partitioning tracers, and neutron moisture logging.

Revised Assessment of Detection and Quantitation Approaches
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water
EPA-821-B-04-005, October 2004

Simultaneous Measurement of Specific Discharge and Cr(VI) Mass Flux in Porous Media Using Permeable Adsorbent Device
Campbell, Timothy J.; K. Hatfield; M.D. Annable (Florida Univ., Gainesville); P.S.C. Rao (Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN).
Report No: AFRL-ML-TY-TR-2994-4527, NTIS: ADA423922, 32 pp, Aug 2001

The authors propose a method for simultaneous measurement of local groundwater-specific discharge and Cr(VI) mass flux using a permeable adsorbent device.

Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Wastes: Physical/Chemical Methods, 3rd Edition
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SW-846

3060A, Alkaline Digestion for Hexavalent Chromium
7190, Chromium (Atomic Absorption, Direct Aspiration)
7191, Chromium (Atomic Absorption, Furnace Technique)
7195, Chromium, Hexavalent (Coprecipitation)
7196A, Chromium, Hexavalent (Colorimetric)
7197, Chromium, Hexavalent (Chelation/Extraction)
7198, Chromium, Hexavalent (Differential Pulse Polarography)
7199, Determination of Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water, Groundwater and Industrial Wastewater Effluents by Ion Chromatography

Literature References

Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century Initiative (21M²) Literature Search
Through the Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century initiative, EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) will identify and deploy promising measurement and monitoring technologies in response to waste management and site cleanup program needs by matching existing and emerging technologies with OSWER program and client needs.

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Last updated on Monday, April 7, 2008