What is Chromium-6 and Should I Be Concern About It In My Water?

If you have ever seen the movie Erin  Brockovich then you may find it interesting to know the cancer-causing toxin in the movie is real and already in your drinking water.  Last month the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported a large amount of chromium-6 has contaminated the tap water consumed by Americans. While the EPA has set a federal standard for the amount of chromium allowed in drinking water, they have never set a limit for chromium-6.

What is Chromium-6?

Chromium-6  is a heavy metal and carcinogen that can be found in nature but is usually created  by various industrial processes such as welding and manufacturing processes like tanning leather products and creating stainless steel.  The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that “high levels of airborne Chromium-6 can cause cancer” but the administration is uncertain about the degree of Chromium-6 that can be harmful. Chromium-6  has been linked to reproductive problems and liver problem along with cancer. The highest concentration of Chromium-6 can be found in California but recent reports have indicated that there are low measurements of chromium-6 in communities throughout Massachusetts. One of the highest reported results of chromium-6 in Massachusetts has been in Harwich. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection goes by the EPA standards, but the EPA is currently under the process of developing additional risk information for chromium-6, updates to the standards will come as soon as next year.