Thanks for sharing that Bob... I'm at work so I can't spend a  
significant time doing research, but curiosity caused me to skim your  
links and look up a few more. Don't think I'm being contrary; I have a  
very superficial knowledge of the electrolysis process and I  
appreciate the warning. I hope I'm not advocating something dangerous.

The only things I'm finding regarding release of hexavalent chromium  
relate to grinding stainless into dust and during heating such as  
welding. Do you have something that would give me an idea of the risk  
and quantity of hexavalent chromium that is likely released in for a  
given time and volume of stainless steel? I'd like to be able to  
assess the scope of the problem. I suspect the same problem occurs  
with stainless hardware/fittings on my sail boat in the Great Salt Lake.

   I generally reuse my electrolyte for a couple of years before I  
dump it. Going forward I guess I should, at the very least, treat it  
as toxic waste and take it to the landfill's hazardous waste facility  
along with waste from cleaning up finishing tools and changing  
automotive fluids. I will also consider changing my anode to a more  
benign material... more research to do.

   I guess this is a good segue into other safety issues. Other  
byproducts of electrolysis include hydrogen gas. In sufficient  
quantities in an enclosed space, this could be highly explosive. For  
the time periods and frequency that I derust tools I figure this is a  
minimal risk. As Bob says... I'm sure there are other nasties that are  
released depending on the tool you're derusting and the chemical used  
to create the electrolyte.

   Paul

   Quoting Bob Miller :

> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 1:20 PM,  wrote:
>
>>    Use a stainless steel plate or bolt as your anode. You can use most
>
>   Using stainless steel for the anode will fill your water with hexavalent
> chromium compounds which are both quite bad for you and persistent in the
> environment.
>
> While I support people being able to decided for themselves if the risk
> outweighs the advantages of clean anodes I think people should be making
> informed decisions when engaging in recreational electrochemistry.  It
> seems simple and clean but you can cook up all kinds of nastys if you do
> not know what you are doing.
>