Can Black Berkey® water filters filter out chromium from water?
Yes! The Black Berkey™ filtration elements have been tested to eliminate more than 99.8% of chromium 6, as this form is the most dangerous for humans (see page on the dangers of chromium 6).
Chromium exists in different forms, some toxic and some not. For those interested, here are detailed explanations about chromium.
In summary, chromium comes from two distinct sources: trivalent (chromium 3+) and hexavalent (chromium 6+).
Trivalent chromium (C3) is a beneficial mineral for humans in trace quantities and is present in food.
Hexavalent chromium (C6), however, is a toxic form resulting from industrial pollution: used in metal coatings (such as stainless steel), pigments and dyes, wood preservation products, and tanning processes.
Not all filters are the same, and the removal of heavy metals does not necessarily mean that chromium 6 is eliminated. The Black Berkey™ filter is effective against this source of pollution as proven by these test results.