CITY TO TEST WATER FILTERS PROJECT AIMS TO REMOVE CHROMIUM 6.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer GLENDALE - The city moved closer Tuesday toward cleansing chromium 6 from its water supply, with officials unveiling a test of several methods of removing the cancer-causing agent from drinking water drinking water supply of water available to animals for drinking supplied via nipples, in troughs, dams, ponds and larger natural water sources; an insufficient supply leads to dehydration; it can be the source of infection, e.g. leptospirosis, salmonellosis, or of poisoning, e.g. . With a multimillion-dollar chromium 6 removal treatment plant still on the drawing boards, researchers are trying to find the cheapest, most efficient way to remove the industrial carcinogen carcinogen: see cancer. carcinogen Agent that can cause cancer. Exposure to one or more carcinogens, including certain chemicals, radiation, and certain viruses, can initiate cancer under conditions not completely understood. from water. The $9 million project - the first of its kind in the nation - aims to treat chromium 6-tainted water on a large scale. Glendale and neighboring communities can remove industrial pollution in the groundwater, but their plants can't remove chromium. ``The city of Glendale has always taken a proactive stance in the testing and treatment of our water supplies,'' Mayor Frank Quintero said Tuesday. ``With additional federal funding obtained through the efforts of Congressman Schiff, we can continue to play an important role in solving this problem.'' Glendale has reported higher levels of chromium 6 in its water supply than other cities in the state, but it is still well below federal and state standards. While it has been determined that chromium 6, also known as hexavalent chromium Hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) compounds are those which contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Chromates are often used as pigments for photography, and in pyrotechnics, dyes, paints, inks, and plastics. , is carcinogenic carcinogenic having a capacity for carcinogenesis. when inhaled, its effects when ingested in·gest tr.v. in·gest·ed, in·gest·ing, in·gests 1. To take into the body by the mouth for digestion or absorption. See Synonyms at eat. 2. have yet to be determined and are under study by the National Toxicology Program National Toxicology Program Environment A program that conducts toxicologic tests on substances frequently found at the EPA's National Priorities List sites, which have the greatest potential for human exposure . ``We know little about chromium 6, and I don't have much confidence the federal and state standards are sufficiently protective of public health,'' said Rep. Adam Schiff
Adam B. Schiff (born June 20 1960) is an American politician. He first served in the California State Senate. , D-Pasadena, who has secured $1.65 million for the water treatment project. ``We know if you breathe it through the air it causes cancer, so it can't be good to drink it in the water.'' Schiff is hoping to earmark earmark taking a piece out of the edge or center of the ear with a punch as an identification mark. The shape of the mark may be registerable under local legislation. in next year's budget another $1.35 million for the pilot program. The different technologies will be tested over the next six months. Officials expect to be able to make a recommendation in March on which technology will be used in a demonstration facility to test water on a larger scale. The state is closely monitoring the pilot program as officials prepare to set standards for chromium 6, since any safety standard will have to incorporate the feasibility and costs of removing the chemical from water, said Don Froelich, water service administrator for Glendale Water and Power. The state is expected to reveal its standards Jan. 1. ``We have a leadership role,'' Froelich said. ``The council wants chromium 6 levels in water delivered to the customers eliminated.'' Three new technologies were showcased at the press conference Tuesday: --Fixed Bed Ion Exchange ion exchange n. A reversible chemical reaction occurring between an insoluble solid and a solution during which ions may be interchanged, used in the separation of radioactive isotopes. is a highly effective treatment for chromium 6. It can lower chromium 6 levels to below detection. The disadvantage is the need to handle and dispose of the liquid chromium 6-containing waste stream. --Continuous Flow Ion Exchange may be a highly effective treatment for chromium 6. It can also lower chromium 6 levels to below detection. This technology may decrease the volume of the liquid waste stream compared with fixed bed ion exchange. --Experimental Chromium 6 Removal Media have been shown to be highly effective in removing chromium 6. They also create a solid waste, which is easier to dispose. The pilot study will test the treatment feasibility and economics of these media. Chromium 6 has found its way into local groundwater supplies since the 1940s when heavy industry, defense contractors and aerospace businesses established themselves along the rail lines in Glendale, Burbank and the eastern San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . The chemical is found statewide, entering water supplies from natural sources or from improper industrial waste disposal. Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian Rafi Manoukian is a former member of the city council in Glendale, California. He was recently notified that he has been selected by the Board of Directors and the Selection Committee of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) as a recipient of the 2006 Ellis Island , left, and Rep. Adam Schiff, right, listen Tuesday as environmental consultant Michael McGuire explains one of several technologies the city will test for removing chromium 6 from drinking water. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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