ABSTRACT

Chromium ( VI ) is classified as a strong oxidation agent and it poses a great deal of toxicity to humans and animals which can form cancer cells. This health risky situation has lead to many studies and investigations on determining the presence and quantity of chromium in biological and environmental samples. An absorption method for the determination of chromium ( VI ) concentration is proposed and the method is operated by using spectrophotometer to trace the presence of chromium ( VI ) at a wavelength of 435 nm. When conducting this experiment, we take three readings of the same sample to avoid errors. Three different dilute standard solution were use that is 19.5 ppm, 39 ppm and 78 ppm.

THEORY
Chromium metal is used for a large variety of applications ranging from an additive in the manufacture of stainless steel to chromium plating (chrome plating) used for motorcycle exhausts and some older types of car bumpers to the colorization of Rubies and Emeralds. Chromium metal has a more important use, it is a very hard transition metal and is normally amalgamated with titanium (another transition element) to make replacement hips in the USA and UK. Chromium compounds (such as Chromic acid [a mixture of H2SO4 with sodium dichromate]) are used in the electroplating industry as both an additive and (in the case of chromic acid) as a highly powerful oxidizing agent (chromic acid is roughly 3 times as powerful an oxidizing agent as sulphuric acid due to the oxidizing power of the Cr(VI) itself). In the North West, there are only three chromium using plants. Two on Merseyside (both on the Wirral) and one in Manchester. As with any ore which comes in from other countries, the sightings of the plants reflect all the elements required for a successful plant; water (for raw materials processing and waste), a fine roads and rail infrastructure (transportation of other materials required as well as for sales of product) and cheaper power (Fiddler's Ferry and Salford Power generators are both near to the plants). With all industrial processes, a waste product is inevitably formed. In the chromium industries (plating and manufacturing), it is normally the chromium (VI) compound (such as chromic acid and other high oxidizing Cr(VI) cleaners). A smaller amount of the reduced Cr(III) and Cr(s) are released. The maximum permitted Cr(VI) in the UK is currently set at 50mg dm-3, with Cr(III) set at 1000mg dm-3. Breathing high levels of chromium (VI) can cause irritation to the nose, such as runny nose, nosebleeds, and ulcers and holes in the nasal septum. Ingesting large amounts of chromium (VI) can cause stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death. Skin contact with certain chromium (VI) compounds can cause skin ulcers. Some people are extremely sensitive to chromium (VI) or chromium (III). Allergic reactions consisting of severe redness and swelling of the skin have been noted.

Cr (VI) is not a very stable state when compared to Cr(III). The Cr (VI) is a very strong oxidizing agent (therefore very fast in reacting, unlike Cr (III) and likely to form complexes). The main reason why Cr (VI) is so toxic is that one of the reduction products of Cr (VI) is Cr (V). Chrome (V) is a known carcinogen and will lodge in any tissue to form cancerous growths. There are reports that chromium (V) is also a factor leading to premature senility in parts of Russia. In the body, the acidity and action of enzymes on Cr (VI) will promote the formation in small quantities of Cr (V). However, as the size of this is normally too large to be adopted by a tissue, the Cr (V) will pass out. The only place where the Cr (V) is likely to lodge is in some of the fine capillaries in either the kidneys, intestines or lungs. During the passage out, Cr (VI) will continue to oxidize anything it can, leaving deposits of the relatively safe Cr (III) and completely unsafe Cr (V) behind. Here is the structure of Cr (VI) :

INTRODUCTION
The toxicity property of Chromium is relative to its valence state. For human being, the toxicity of Cr(VI) is 100 times as much as Cr(III), moreover, the Cr(VI) has the strong toxicity and carcinogen property and is liable to accumulate absorption of body. For fish, the toxicity of Cr(III), is much bigger than Cr(VI). The chief methods of monitoring chromium in the water are DPC(diphenylcarbazide) spectrometry, AAS, ICP-AES and ferrous ammonium sulphate titrimetry.