safety concern using stainless steel

[waterbard]

[rampage263]

[huck]

[moses]

[SeaMonkey]

While there is some truth in the spiel about the "hazards" associated with the chromium in the stainless steel alloy, it is just a tad "alarmist." Chromium salts in high concentrations can be hazardous for a certainty, but when very, very dilute make an excellent fertilizer component. Chromium is an essential mineral which the human body requires in trace amounts to control weight and diabetes, and when it is available in the soil to garden crops they'll take it in and convert it to a form that is able to be safely assimilated by the body.

The chromium is most likely to be leached out in an acidic electrolyte, or, in a cell which uses Sodium Bicarbonate as the electrolyte, and at very high current densities.

Always aim for a maximum of 250 milliamperes per square inch of plate current, or less, to preserve them. At very high current densities stainless steel plates will deteriorate.

For those who may be concerned about the possibility of chromium compounds forming in the electrolyte you may use nickel plated steel as a satisfactory substitute. But, rough it up before having it plated!

[waterbard]

[LapperLL]

[huck]

[hypersoniq]

There are several chromium valences (-2 to +6)
The 2 most common are Chromium (III) "Trivalent" , the one that appears in the body that is needed for metabolising sugar (Chromium (III) Chloride)...

and

Chromium (VI) "Hexavalent" which is a known human carcinogen (a.k.a. Chromates) and used in the production of S.S.

S.S. at the anode could put Chromates and/or Nickel into the water via stress corrosion (oxidation)...

It seems like platinum is the frontrunner for a truly non-reactive electrode material.

The permissible exposure limit (according to OSHA) is 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, however watchdog groups like Public Citizen would like it adjusted to 0.25 micrograms per cubic meter of air, since permissible in this case still presents a serious health risk and is economically rather than safety driven. the drinking/ground water MAX level of acceptability is 0.1ppm for Chromium(VI)

should look into this further to see how it applies specifically for HHO use...

[biggeorge]

I think your maths is WAY off Huck.

Waterbard, if you intend on snorting the residue of your electrolyzer you might have a problem, but getting the water on your hands or touching the plates will not give you enough chromium to cause you to inhale or ingest it, as is required to get a toxic dose.

Remember, everything is toxic if you have enough of it. Even water.

I suggest you do a little research, read a wiki on it. You can't believe every silly little link you read on one page of the internet. But generally, the majority rules as far as fact finding on the web.
1 page says "oooh, boogy woogy bad chrome in stainless steel"
and 1789432432495 google hits saying don't worry about it unless you plan on grinding it up and snorting it.

[chemelec]

[SeaMonkey]

[chemelec]

[waterbard]

[huck]