California regulators have officially passed the nation’s first drinking water limit for hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6. This toxic chemical compound, famously highlighted in the movie “Erin Brockovich”, is expected to reduce cancer and kidney disease cases caused by long-term ingestion. The State Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved the proposal, with water providers required to begin testing within six months and submit compliance plans for levels that exceed the limit. The regulation, which sets the chromium-6 limit at 10 parts per billion, could serve as a model for other states to adopt.
Over 200 million Americans are estimated to have chromium-6 in their drinking water, based on a study by the Environmental Working Group. California previously combined its standards for chromium-6 with a less toxic form of chromium, but the new limit will solely focus on the more harmful chromium-6. Despite the approval of the regulation, some community members and health advocates believe the state’s standard is not sufficient in protecting public health. They urge California to align its limit with the public health goal of 0.02 parts per billion, a level deemed to pose minimal health risks.
The financial impact of enforcing the new regulation is a concern for some public water providers as they anticipate increased costs for monitoring and treating water that exceeds the standard. Critics argue that the limit is not based on the most current scientific evidence and will disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities. Residents and customers in areas where chromium-6 levels are high stand to face the highest costs, potentially increasing monthly bills significantly. The board must consider the economic and technological feasibility when setting regulations close to the public health goal.
Chromium-6 occurs naturally in soil and can seep into groundwater, often due to industrial processes and human activities. While inhaling chromium-6 has long been linked to lung cancer, ingestion was not definitively linked to cancer until recent studies by the National Toxicology Program revealed a correlation with intestinal and oral cancer in rodents. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment recognizes the various sources of chromium-6 contamination, prompting the need to establish a limit for safe drinking water consumption.
California’s new chromium-6 limit represents a significant step toward safeguarding public health from the dangers of the chemical compound. The risk of cancer at the established limit is still substantially higher than the public health goal, emphasizing the necessity for continued monitoring and potential adjustments based on new research data. The State Water Resources Control Board is committed to reviewing and updating water standards regularly to ensure the safety of drinking water for all Californians. The passing of this regulation marks a pivotal moment in the state’s ongoing efforts to address environmental health hazards and protect communities from harmful contaminants in their water supply. California’s leadership in setting limits for toxic substances could serve as an example for other states grappling with similar water quality challenges.
