Chromium 6––as a public health goal––is revoked





The movie "Erin Brockovich" drew attention to Chromium 6 and aroused concern about its possible effects as a water contaminant.


When a study showed a potential link between consumption of Chromium 6 in water and occurrence of cancer in laboratory mice, California’s Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) established a Public Health Goal (PHG) of 2.5 parts per billion (ppb) for chromium in water. This provided a guideline for the level below which Chromium 6 would not harm human health over a lifetime of exposure.


With the high-profile debate stirred by the movie, California’s Department of Health Services and CalEPA convened a panel of experts to look into the science surrounding Chromium 6. These experts found flaws in the research and concluded there is no evidence that Chromium 6 in water causes cancer in humans.


CalEPA has revoked the PHG for Chromium. This reconsideration demonstrates the sensitivity of setting safety standards for water and the unending commitment of regulatory agencies and water utilities to ensure water’s safety.


California EPA is commissioning further studies to determine what water quality standards are appropriate. Through our memberships in professional water organizations, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) will help to support this research.


Chromium 6, a component of total Chromium, is found primarily in groundwater sources. LVMWD’s water comes from surface supplies, originating in the Sierra Mountains. In water quality tests conducted by both LVMWD and MWD (our water wholesaler), Chromium 6 has not been detected above the previously designated PHG.



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