![]() ![]() This regulation is a concern to some scientists. The EPA regulation of 100 ppb assumes any measurement of total chromium can turn into 100% chromium-6. Yet chromium-6 and chromium-3 can convert back and forth in water and in the human body under the right chemical environment. Still, no matter how large or small a community water system, anytime total chromium in tap water exceeds the federal standard, local residents must be notified. The EPA does not regularly test water systems of communities with fewer than 10,000 people, relying on random testing instead. Total chromium found in water samples must be below the current federal standard of 100 ppb. Water systems are required to test for total chromium, which includes both chromium-6 and chromium-3, a naturally occurring form that is an essential nutrient for the body. The Environmental Working Group report provides more specific information. Finally, Miami-Dade in Florida San Diego, Laguna Beach, and Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California New York City Baltimore Denver and San Juan, Puerto Rico, all ranged between 0.035 ppb and 0.085 ppb. ![]() Louis County in Missouri (1.258 ppb) and Houston (0.747 ppb), relative to other urban areas, had high levels as well.įollowing these were Philadelphia (0.388 ppb) Dallas (0.274 ppb) California’s South Coast Water District, including Capistrano (0.223 ppb) Columbus, Ohio (0.207 ppb) and the Las Vegas Valley Water District (0.203 ppb).Ĭhicago, San Antonio, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in Maryland, Fairfax County in Virginia and Cleveland all ranged between 0.10 ppb and 0.20 ppb. Oklahoma, Arizona and California had the highest average statewide levels, though not necessarily above the lenient standard.Īmong major cities and metropolitan areas, Phoenix had the highest average level, at almost 400 times the California health goal: 7.853 ppb. ![]() The report found chromium-6 in almost 90% of the water systems sampled across the nation. The group also looked at the actual legal limit adopted by California regulators, even though the group’s scientists consider this too lenient a standard: 10 parts per billion.īy the stricter standard, the Environmental Working Group found the tap water of 218 million Americans has dangerous levels of chromium-6.īy the more lenient standard, the group found the tap water of 7 million Americans has dangerous levels of chromium-6. What is nontoxic for an adult may not be so for a developing baby. This level, which would pose only “negligible risk over a lifetime of consumption,” is endorsed as “safe” by the Environmental Working Group because it addresses concerns about fetal, infant and child exposure to the chemical. The first standard is the public health goal of 0.02 parts per billion set by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The Environmental Working Group used two separate standards when deciding whether existing chromium-6 levels in community water systems might be dangerous. Scientists disagree about what exactly a safe amount for water is and what the possible long-term consequences may be when people ingest it through water. However, there is uncertainty about chromium-6 in drinking water. New report finds 'Erin Brockovich' chemical in US drinking water AFP PHOTO/ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images) ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images Tap water fills a glass on Februin the French southern city of Marseille. ![]() In fact, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that high levels of airborne chromium-6 can cause cancer the agency requires companies to protect their employees from workplace exposure. Airborne and large quantities of chromium-6 are known to be toxic. Chromium-6 is rare in nature though it is produced by industrial processes. The EPA has never set a specific limit for chromium-6, one form of chromium, a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil and volcanic dust and gases. The US Environmental Protection Agency has set the federal standard for total chromium in drinking water at 100 parts per billion (ppb). What level of chromium-6 in drinking water is considered dangerous? This is the carcinogenic chemical featured in the true story turned Hollywood movie “Erin Brockovich,”įor its report, the independent environmental advocacy group examined evidence from water systems throughout the nation. The Environmental Working Group reported Tuesday that dangerous levels of chromium-6 contaminate tap water consumed by millions of Americans. ![]()
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