Ensuring safe drinking water for human beings worldwide is a top priority for all agencies concerned because its quality causes direct impact on human health. Chromium is widely used in various industries like steel, chromo plating, paint manufacturing, leather treatment, wood preservation and as corrosion inhibitor. It exists in the environment primarily in two valence states, trivalent chromium, Cr(III) and hexavalent chromium, Cr(IV). Cr(III) is biologically important element and is needed for glucose and lipid metabolism. Cr (VI) however is considered toxic and IARC (International Agency for Research in Cancer, WHO) has classified it as a group 1 agent, defined as carcinogenic to humans. As per Indian Standard IS10500 for drinking water, the maximum permissible concentration of Cr(VI) in drinking water is 50 µg/L. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends a still lower permissible concentration, i.e. 10 µg/L. For detection at such low levels, very sophisticated instrumentation such as HPCL-ICPMS is necessary, which are not suitable for field work. Onsite estimation of Cr(VI) is possible only by a field method which is sensitive enough to detect Cr(VI) at 10 µg L^-1. Current methods practiced for field applications are not sensitive to this level.

BARC has developed a quick, easy and affordable kit for onsite determination of Cr(VI), which meets IS10500 as well as EPA criteria. Cr(VI) DK is a simple, user-friendly and highly cost effective kit for estimation of chromium (VI) in drinking, tap, lake, river and ground water in comparison to the currently available techniques. The procedure is as simple as adding a specified amount of reagents to the water sample and identifying the color developed. The color develops with in 5 minutes and the distinction can be made with the naked eye. For ease of comparison a color chart is provided with the kit. Water samples can be immediately categorized as being safe or toxic for drinking from chromium (VI) point of view.

ADVANTAGES

• Onsite detection & Instantaneous results
• Eliminates the use of sophisticated instruments for analysis
• Low investment on infrastructure for producing the kits
• Easy availability of the raw-materials
• Good accuracy for the intended purpose

Chromium is widely used in various industries like steel, chromo plating, paint manufacturing, leather treatment, wood preservation and as corrosion inhibitor. It exists in the environment primarily in two valence states, trivalent chromium, Cr(III) and hexavalent chromium, Cr(IV). Cr(III) is biologically important element and is needed for glucose and lipid metabolism. Cr (VI) however is considered toxic and IARC (International Agency for Research in Cancer, WHO) has classified it as a group 1 agent, defined as carcinogenic to humans. As per Indian Standard IS10500 for drinking water, the maximum permissible concentration of Cr(VI) in drinking water is 50 µg/L. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends a still lower permissible concentration, i.e. 10 µg/L. For detection at such low levels, very sophisticated instrumentation such as HPCL-ICPMS is necessary, which are not suitable for field work. Onsite estimation of Cr(VI) is possible only by a field method which is sensitive enough to detect Cr(VI) at 10 µg L^-1. Current methods practiced for field applications are not sensitive to this level.

BARC has developed a quick, easy and affordable kit for onsite determination of Cr(VI), which meets IS10500 as well as EPA criteria. Cr(VI) DK is a simple, user-friendly and highly cost effective kit for estimation of chromium (VI) in drinking, tap, lake, river and ground water in comparison to the currently available techniques. The procedure is as simple as adding a specified amount of reagents to the water sample and identifying the color developed. The color develops with in 5 minutes and the distinction can be made with the naked eye. For ease of comparison a color chart is provided with the kit. Water samples can be immediately categorized as being safe or toxic for drinking from chromium (VI) point of view.

ADVANTAGES

• Onsite detection & Instantaneous results
• Eliminates the use of sophisticated instruments for analysis
• Low investment on infrastructure for producing the kits
• Easy availability of the raw-materials
• Good accuracy for the intended purpose

DESCRIPTION

The Cr(VI)DK kit consists of

REQUIREMENTS

A. Infrastructure Requirements

• A laboratory room (3m X 3m) with the following equipment: 
  2 glass beakers (250 mL), 1 measuring jar (1L), balance (1 mg precision), pelletizer (10 mm dia), and powder pulveriser.
  

B. Statutory Requirements

• Statutory clearances for safe handling of various acids, chemicals and a small scale industrial registration is required.

C. Raw materials

• All the raw materials required to utilize the technology for making the chromium (VI) detection kits are freely available in the Indian market.

D. Manpower requirements

• One technician for preparing the reagents and pellets, one chemist for carrying out the reagent quality assessment by checking with standards.