manufacturing, both land and water supplies can be contaminated with extremely high levels of the radioactive material. This can lead to many health problems in humans. These health problems can include cancer, natural abortions, birth defects and mutations. Hexavalent chromium has been shown to be carcinogenic in humans, especially when inhaled as a dust (Chromium Information Bureau, www. chromiuminfo.org). Exposure to this element can and has been very deadly.Aquifers and other sources of groundwater are being polluted with hexavalent chromium everyday. Aquifers are large subterranean lakes. These aquifers are being both depleted for drinking water, but it is also being contaminated from pollutants in rainwater, on the soil, and dumped into lakes and rivers. Then it drains into the groundwater. These pollutants slowly make there way towards the aquifers and out our facets. One a polluted aquifers is found in Los Angles, Despite a new study confirming that higher-than-recommended levels of chromium 6 are present in tap water at 110 LA government facilities (www.netscape.digitalcity.com/losangeles/opinion/main.dci?page=chromium). This is just one example of the numerous polluted aquifers throughout the US.Not only can hexavalent chromium be found in the water, it is also present in the soil. This is one of the ways the groundwater is polluted. The various types of soil hold pollutants differently. The best for holding contaminates is clay. The clay is very fine, easily compacted, and porous. This means that it holds water well. When a pollutant comes into contact with the soil, especially water-soluble pollutants, the clay holds the water in contaminating the topsoil. Erin Brockovich opened many eyes when it addressed the problems of pollution. One example of a pollutant is chromium. In its natural state, it is necessary and helpful mineral, but when it is in the form of hexavlanet chromium it is deadly. For the sak...
