CNN revealed Wednesday that all 50 states have the carcinogen chromium-6 in their water supplies, a chemical made famous by the movie “Erin Brockovich.”
CNN revealed Wednesday that all 50 states have the carcinogen chromium-6 in their water supplies, a chemical made famous by the movie “Erin Brockovich.”
The advocacy group called the Environmental Working Group says, in a CNN report (http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/20/health/chromium-6-in-drinking-water/) , that California’s public health goal is to drop its water levels of chromium-6 to 0.02 parts per billion (ppb). The state’s maximum legally allowed level is 10 ppb.
The Environmental Working Group(http://www.ewg.org/research/chromium-six-found-in-us-tap-water) used federal data to conclude that about three of four samples tested nationwide include levels of 0.03 or higher.
The 96720 ZIP code Hilo region itself averages 1.0 parts per billion in samples tested, according to a search of the Environmental Working Group’s site.
According to county data, Hilo’s chromium-6 comes from natural sources. It doesn’t come from a manufacturing leak or from human activities. Rather, the chromium-6 is already in Hilo water when the water is initially harvested. The county regularly monitors for “total chromium” — including chromium-6.
“We’re proud of the water quality on the island and feel it’s highly pristine,” said Kawika Uyehara, county Department of Water Supply deputy director.
Email Jeff Hansel at jhansel@hawaiitribune-herald.com.