California regulators take on chromium 6 (chemical made famous by the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich.")

[Kadie]

California regulators take on chromium 6

Kelly Zito, Chronicle Staff Writer

Thursday, August 20, 2009

(08-20) 16:53 PDT Sacramento -- California on Thursday took the first step in the nation toward setting maximum drinking water levels for the cancer-causing chemical made famous by the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich."

After a controversial decade of study on the health effects of hexavalent chromium, or chromium 6, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment on Thursday proposed a level of 0.06 parts per billion for the heavy metal.

Regular drinking water exposure below that level would qualify as "negligible risk," according to researchers.

The proposal, which is subject to further review and public comment, is not an enforceable standard. However, it represents the initial step in developing a state-wide chromium 6 ceiling for drinking water under the Department of Public Health - a criteria likely several years in the making. That, in turn, would give authorities the power to order cleanup of contaminated drinking water sources.

snip...
Shortly after the Julia Roberts' vehicle "Erin Brockovich" publicized the chromium 6-cancer link among the residents of Hinkley, California - who eventually won a $333 million settlement from Pacific Gas and Electric - then-Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill ordering regulators to develop a chromium 6 standard for drinking water by Jan. 1, 2004.

In 2001, a blue ribbon panel determined that drinking water with chromium 6 posed no risks (it has long been considered harmful when inhaled). But that conclusion faltered when it came to light that two members of the panel had been paid consultants to PG&E.

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/20/BAET19BGHH.DTL&tsp=1