Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The review on hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) highlights its significant health hazards and outlines microbial reduction strategies. Cr(VI) is a potent carcinogen and toxic environmental contaminant, mainly released through industrial activities such as chrome plating, dye production, and leather tanning. The review details its persistence in the environment, its potential for bioaccumulation, and its toxicological effects on humans, plants, and microorganisms. Cr(VI) is especially harmful through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, and its exposure leads to cancer, respiratory issues, and genetic damage. Given its environmental and health risks, the review also discusses microbial bioremediation as an emerging, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical removal methods for Cr(VI), offering the potential for sustainable remediation.
Who is affected?
This issue impacts a wide range of stakeholders. Workers in industries such as chrome plating, dye manufacturing, and leather tanning are particularly at risk of exposure to Cr(VI) through inhalation or skin contact. Communities near industrial waste disposal sites or water sources contaminated by Cr(VI) are also highly vulnerable. Environmental agencies, health authorities, and food manufacturers dealing with contaminated water sources are affected, as Cr(VI) can leach into drinking water, soil, and food supplies. Additionally, scientists studying environmental pollutants and microbiologists researching bioremediation techniques are involved in addressing the growing concern of Cr(VI) toxicity.
Most important findings
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is highly toxic and poses serious health risks, including lung cancer, respiratory issues, genetic damage, and kidney and liver toxicity. It is particularly dangerous due to its mobility in water, its ability to accumulate in ecosystems, and its carcinogenic properties. Cr(VI) is commonly found in industrial effluents, wastewater, and contaminated water bodies, contributing to widespread environmental contamination. While Cr(III) is less toxic and essential in trace amounts, Cr(VI) is harmful, even at low concentrations. The review discusses several bioremediation strategies that utilize microbes to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III), offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for cleaning up contaminated environments. However, these microbial processes are influenced by various factors such as temperature, pH, and the presence of other contaminants, which may affect their effectiveness in real-world applications. The review also calls for stricter environmental regulations to limit Cr(VI) concentrations in water and air and emphasizes the need for ongoing research into improving bioremediation techniques.
Key implications
The findings of this review have significant implications for industry, public health, and regulatory bodies. Industries must adopt stricter safety protocols to limit Cr(VI) exposure, particularly in workplaces involved in chrome plating, dye manufacturing, and leather tanning. Regulatory bodies should revise water safety standards and promote more effective monitoring of Cr(VI) concentrations in drinking water and wastewater. Bioremediation offers a potential solution for managing Cr(VI) pollution, and industries could integrate this approach into their waste treatment processes. Food certification bodies must ensure that food manufacturers test for Cr(VI) contamination, especially in high-risk products like spices and seafood. Further research on microbial bioremediation techniques should be encouraged to develop scalable, cost-effective solutions for cleaning up contaminated sites.
Citation
Sharma, P., Singh, S. P., Parakh, S. K., & Tong, Y. W. (2022). Health hazards of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) and its microbial reduction. Bioengineered, 13(3), 4923. https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2022.2037273
Chromium (Cr) is a widely used metal with significant public health implications, especially in its toxic hexavalent form. The HMTC program’s stricter regulations ensure that chromium exposure is minimized, safeguarding consumer health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
