We suggest you stop drinking water containing more than 100 ppb of chromium. No standards exist for the amount of chromium allowed in the air of homes. We use a formula to convert workplace limits to home limits. The lifetime cancer risk at this level is 1 in 8, or about 120,000 times higher than normal. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulates the amount of chromium that can be released by industries.
Lung cancer can develop after exposure to hexavalent chromium vapors or fumes.
Lung irritation resulting in asthma can be caused by hexavalent chromium. Chromium exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. Animal studies show changes in immune system function. Animal studies show damage to developing fetuses and lowered sperm production in males. In general, chemicals affect the same organ systems in all people who are exposed.