Reply #27: Carcinogen made famous by Erin Brockovich found in cities across the US

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Source: The Telegraph (UK)

In the first nationwide analysis of the chemical in American water to be made public, the study by the Environmental Working Group detected its presence in 31 out of 35 cities that were tested. The highest levels were in: Norman, Oklahoma; Honolulu, Hawaii; Riverside, California; and Madison, Wisconsin.

The US government's Environmental Protection Agency is currently deciding whether to set a limit for hexavalent chromium in tap water after the National Institute of Health assessed it a "probable carcinogen" in 2008. The chemical has been linked to leukaemia in animals as well as liver and kidney damage.

Hexavalent chromium is often discharged from steel and pulp mills as well as metal-plating and leather-tanning facilities, the report states.

Last year, California became the first state to limit the chemical in drinking water by proposing a "public health goal" of 0.06 parts per billion. Of the 35 cities tested, the study found that 25 had levels in excess of California's proposed goal.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8215065/Carcinogen-made-famous-by-Erin-Brockovich-found-in-cities-across-the-US.html