What is Chromium 6?
Chromium 6 is a chemical found naturally in the environment, but it can also be released into the water because of industrial activities. It is a highly toxic chemical known to cause cancer and other serious health effects. Chromium 6 is commonly referred to as the "Erin Brockovich chemical," as it was the subject of the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, which told the true story of a legal secretary who helped to expose the presence of chromium 6 in the water supply of a small California town.
There is currently no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for chromium 6 in drinking water. Still, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a non-enforceable health advisory level of 0.07 parts per billion (ppb) for chromium 6 in drinking water. This means that while the EPA has determined that levels of chromium-6 below 0.07 ppb are not expected to cause any adverse health effects, water utilities have no legal requirement to meet this standard.
Despite the lack of a formal MCL, the dangers of chromium 6 in water are still of concern. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of chromium-6 can cause cancer and other serious health effects. It is important to take steps to minimize exposure to this chemical. If you are concerned about chromium 6 in your water, it is important to have the water tested and, if necessary, implement appropriate treatment methods to remove or inactivate the chemical.