A new report found that drinking water in 35 cities across the United States contain hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen. The report of the Environmental Working Group, is the first nationwide analysis of hexavalent chromium in drinking water to be made public.

The Environmental Protection Agency continues to debate whether to limit the carcinogen in drinking water despite that fact that the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, deemed it a “probable carcinogen” in 2008. That was almost three years ago, but we have yet to have any action from the government. Clean drinking water is the most basic requirement of our government. Yet, children continue to drink water that is infused with a presumptive carcinogen in Washington and other cities.

As usual, California took the lead with the first limitations on hexavalent chromium in drinking water — proposed a level of 0.06 parts per billion.

Hexavalent chromium is still used by industry despite the damage of the chemical in migrating into drinking water. It is used in chrome plating and the manufacturing of plastics and dyes. Congress and EPA has failed to act on the danger.

The highest levels were found in Norman, Okla., where the water contained more than 200 times the California goal. I expect that the government in Norman bills itself as a family-oriented community. If so, how can it allow its children to be exposed to such high levels of a likely carcinogen?

Source: Washington Post

Jonathan Turley