Drinking water samples in several United States locations has tested positive for a chemical linked to cancer. Monday the EWG published the results of a study that detected hexavalent chromium in the drinking water of thirty-one out of 35 municipalities tested. In the film “Erin Brockovich,” hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6, was the contaminant that sparked the lawsuit against the public utility that was the subject of the film. Resource for this article - Hexavalent chromium found in tap water from 31 U.S. cities
The hazards of hexavalent chromium
Hexavalent chromium is dumped to the environment by steel and pulp mills, metal-plating and leather-tanning industries, based on the Environmental Working Group. EWG paid labs to test normal water in 35 locations identified to be contaminated by the cancer-causing compound, which leaches into groundwater from eroding soil. A EWG scientist said evidence has been well-documented that a corollary exists between exposure to chromium-6 and stomach cancer in humans. Madison, WI, Honolulu, HI, Riverside, CA, and San Jose, CA; have had the highest amounts of hexavalent chromium found.
Examination of chromium-6
This is the 1st analyze of hexavalent chromium in water supplied to locations by the EWG. The research went public only since the EPA decided to try and cap the limit of chromium-6 released into water supplies. The National Institutes of Health classified hexavalent chromium a probable carcinogen in 2008. In 2009, CA proposed a safe limit of hexavalent chromium amounts in drinking water at 0.06 parts per billion. When the Environmental Working Group conducted their research they found the actual amount in water is over 200 times the allowed limit. 25 of the 35 cities in the research were above the limit California considered safe.
EWG recommendation: reverse osmosis water filtration
”Erin Brockovich” was where many people first learned about Hexavalent chromium. Brockovich, a real person, successfully sued Pacific Gas and Electric for contaminating the water supply of Hinckley, Calif., with chromium 6. Over $330 million in damages were paid by the electric company. The EWG highly advises using water filters for your normal water, at least until the EPA is successful in regulating the hexavalent chromium. Water filters for instance reverse osmosis will remove heavy metals such as chromium. For a reverse osmosis water filtration you'll pay around $120 to $300.
Details from
CNN
pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/20/carcinogen-found-in-31-of-35-cities-water-supply/?npt=NP1
USA Today
content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/12/tap-water-of-many-us-cities-has-probable-carcinogen-study/1
Medical News Today
medicalnewstoday.com/articles/212079.php
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