Hexavalent Chromium

 Hexavalent Chromium is very harmful and dangerous chemical that is used in factories and water companies. There are different kinds of chromium but Hexavalent Chromium is the only one that causes issues and it really causes a LOT of problems.  One of the biggest health issues it causes for humans is respiratory complications. When  a human inhales these chemicals, it increases ones risk of lung cancer dramatically. In addition to the harm of the lungs, hexavalent chromium can severely damage the capillaries in the kidneys and the intestines. Hexavalent Chromium can be easily prevented if companies who used it would not be so careless. Other health effects that can be caused from Hexavalent Chromium are irritation of the skin or ulceration, allergic contact dermitits, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulcerations, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation in addition to the risk of cancer, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation, reproductive complications, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth. The list goes on and on and as you can see none of these effects from Hexavalent chromium are things that anyone would want to have. When the water is polluted by these companies it gets into the homes of people who swim, drink, bathe, and cook with the polluted water, some times these individuals are not even aware of the risks they are taking. All of this could be prevented if humans would take a little extra time to line the ground the correct way to keep the chemical and toxic water from releasing and leaking into the ground and the fresh water. There are many things in nature that we can not control but the responsibility of  a corporation to do what is right and healthy and legal should not be one of them. We need to take the time that is necessary to make sure that not only we are safe, but that the water and earth are safe as well.