California EPA Leads Nation
Once again, California leads the nation. By establishing drinking water standards for hexavalent chromium, or chromium 6, California becomes the first state in the nation to establish a standard for the cancer-causing chemical.
Hexavalent Chromium Goal
The California Environmental Protection Agency established the goal of 0.02 parts per billion of less for chromium 6. This level will be used by California’s Department of Public Health to create legally enforceable limits.
Immediate Health Impact
Establishing a goal helps municipalities begin implementing measures to reduce hexavalent chromium from the water supply even before the states sets the final regulations.
The film “Erin Brockovich” spotlighted the issue of water contamination from hexavalent chromium in the town of Hinkley, California.
Originally, the California legislature required limits be established in 2004. However, there were delays, including proving the chemical is toxic when ingested, although the harmful effects of inhalation were already known.
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