Hexavalent chromium salts are used extensively in the metal finishing and plating industries, in the leather industry as a tanning agent, and in the manufacture of paints, dyes, explosives, and ceramics. Trivalent chromium salts are used as mordants in textile dying, in the ceramic and glass industry, and in photography. Chromium, in either oxidation state, may be present in wastewater from these industries and may also be discharged from chromate-treated cooling waters.

Hexavalent chromium is toxic to humans, animals, and aquatic life. It can produce lung tumors when inhaled and readily induces skin sensitization. It is not known whether cancer will result from ingestion of chromium in any of its valence states.

Ion chromatography provides a means of separating the hexavalent chromium from other species present in the sample, many of which interfere with other detection methods. The combination of this separation with a sensitive colorimetric detection method provides a selective and sensitive analytical method for hexavalent chromium with minimal sample preparation.

1.1 This test method covers procedures for the determination of dissolved hexavalent chromium in wastewater, surface water, and drinking water.

1.2 The precision and bias of this test method has been tested in reagent water and industrial wastewater and has been found suitable over the range of approximately 1 to 1000 μg/L. See for details. Higher levels can be determined by appropriate dilution.

1.3 Samples containing very high levels of anionic species (that is, chloride, sulfate, etc.) may cause column overload. Samples containing high levels of reducing species (that is, sulfides, sulfites, etc.) may cause reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). This can be minimized by buffering the sample to a pH of 9 to 9.5, filtering it, storing it at 4°C and analyzing it within 24 h.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.