UAE | Health

No cancer causing agent in Abu Dhabi tap water

Drinking water in Abu Dhabi is free from chromium 6, a chemical thought to cause cancer in humans when it is consumed in drinking water, an official said yesterday.

  • By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 00:00 June 6, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Tests conducted on drinking water in Abu Dhabi showed that it is absolutely free from hexavalent chromium or chromium 6.
  • Image Credit: Illustration: Ramachandra Babu/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Drinking water in Abu Dhabi is free from chromium 6, a chemical thought to cause cancer in humans when it is consumed in drinking water, an official said yesterday.

"Tests conducted on drinking water in Abu Dhabi showed that it is absolutely free from hexavalent chromium or chromium 6, which was reported to have caused cancer in laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans," Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaisa, director of communication and information at the Abu Dhabi Food Control Agency, told Gulf News.

A two-year study conducted by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) showed that animals given hexavalent chromium developed malignant tumours.

Previous studies have shown that hexavalent chromium also causes lung cancer in humans in certain occupational settings as a result of inhalation exposure.

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Agency, he said, worked hard on this compound and all tests on tap water, bottled water and underground waters showed no chromium contamination.

"Al Reyaisa said the UAE uses reverse osmosis systems to remove unwanted salts from seawater, including chromium, if any, to ensure pure, clean and healthy water.

"In a reverse osmosis system (ROS) the water is passed through a sediment filter to remove sediment, dirt and algae. In the next step, the water passes through pre-carbon filters, which remove chlorine and other volatile organics from the water. In the next step the water reaches a reverse osmosis membrane, which removes minerals, lead, inorganics, chemicals, salt and more."

Contamination

He said contamination occurs when victims breath air or ingest water or food from soils near waste sites or industries using chromium.

"Hexavalent chromium compounds are often used in electroplating, leather tanning, and textile manufacturing and have been found in some drinking water sources, including rivers, lakes and wells." The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi has imposed firm restrictions on chromium compound releases to land and water in the emirate. All plants in the emirate must satisfy these conditions before obtaining licences, according to Al Reyaisa.

Hexavalent chromium has been brought to the public's attention and is best known as the contaminant exposed by campaigner Erin Brockovich, whose battle against a polluter was dramatised in the May 2000 movie of the same name.

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