Carcinogenic hexavalent chromium, the “Erin Brockovich chemical” was found in the tap water of 31 cities out of a total of 35 tested by the Environmental Working Group. The scientists estimate that at least 74 million people in the USA in 42 states regularly drink chromium-tainted water, and a considerable proportion of it is in the carcinogenic hexavalent form.

Hexavalent chromium is recognized as a human carcinogen. Some workers are exposed to the chemical, and exposure is known to sometimes occur among those who handle chromate-containing products, as well as those who arc weld stainless steel. The European Union has the world’s strictest laws regarding hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium use in the European Union in electronic equipment, for example, is largely prohibited by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.

Highest levels of hexavalent chromium in tap water were found in Norman; Oklahoma, Riverside; California, and Honolulu; Hawaii. Safety limits proposed by California regulators were exceeded in samples from 25 US cities, the scientists revealed.

Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6 in drinking water shows “clear evidence of carcinogenic activity” in animal studies, significantly raising the likelihood of the development of gastrointestinal tumors.

An EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) draft toxicological review this year also found that tap water tainted with hexavalent chromium is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans”.

A public health goal of 0.06 ppb (parts per billion) was proposed by Californian authorities in 2009, in an attempt to protect humans from cancer risk. The aim was to eventually set this limit nationwide.

Despite growing evidence of the dangers of hexavalent chromium in tap water, the EPA has done nothing about legal limit requirements. Water utility companies don’t even have to test for levels in their tap water.

The average hexavalent chromium levels in the tested tap water was 0.18 ppb, compared to the recommended 0.06 ppb.

Top five cities tested:

Norman, Oklahoma, population – 89,952

Hexavalent chromium level 12.9 ppb

Hexavalent chromium level 12.9 ppb Honolulu, Hawaii: population – 661,004

Hexavalent chromium level 2.00 ppb

Hexavalent chromium level 2.00 ppb Riverside, California, population – 280,832

Hexavalent chromium level 1.69 ppb

Hexavalent chromium level 1.69 ppb Madison, Wisconsin, population – 200,814

Hexavalent chromium level 1.58 ppb

Hexavalent chromium level 1.58 ppb San Jose, California, population – 979,000

Hexavalent chromium level 1.34 ppb

One of the samples tested by the Environmental Working Group in Norman, Oklahoma had hexavalent chromium levels 200 times higher than the Californian-proposed limit.

With so many tens of millions of Americans exposed to hexavalent chromium on a daily bases, the Environmental Working Group is urging the EPA to act – to set a legal limit on chromium-6, and make water utility companies regularly test levels of it in their tap water.

In a communiqué, the Environmental Working Group wrote:

“The state of California must establish a strong standard for hexavalent chromium in tap water immediately. A truly health-protective hexavalent chromium regulation will reduce the cancer risk for Californians and serve as a model for the nation. With an enforceable standard already six years past the statutory deadline and the health of millions of Californians at stake, the state cannot move too quickly.”

Click here to see a USA map showing toxin levels by state.

Full Report (login required)

Source: Environmental Working Group

Written by Christian Nordqvist