Hexavalent Chromium in Tap Water

If you have watched the movie Erin Brockovich, then you may be familiar with the hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen that was made famous by the film.

According to a study released Monday by the Environmental Working Group, hexavalent chromium has been found in the tap water of 31 out of 35 cities sampled. Of those, 25 had levels that exceeded the limit.

Last year, California took the first step in limiting the amount of hexavalent chromium in drinking water by proposing a “public health goal” for safe levels of 0.06 parts per billion, reported by Washington Post.

Hexavalent chromium was a commonly used industrial chemical until the early 1990s. It is still used in some industries, such as in chrome plating and the manufacturing of plastics and dyes. The chemical can also leach into groundwater from natural ores.