Is Our Drinking Water Toxic?
In December, the Environmental Working Group published the first national investigation of the suspected carcinogen chromium-6—also known as hexavalent chromium—in drinking water in 35 cities around the country. Following this information, Senators Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced Senate Bill 79, the Protecting Pregnant Women and Children From Hexavalent Chromium Act of 2011.
Exposure to chromium hexavalent, over a prolonged period of time can have many detrimental health effects. If it comes into contact with the eyes and skin, chromium hexavalent can cause irritation and even permanent damage if the exposure is long enough. If the compound comes into contact with a cut or laceration on the skin, it could cause chrome ulcers. Chrome ulcers are small crusted sores that feature a rounded border. They take a long time to heal and usually leave a noticeable scar.
If it is inhaled, chromium hexavalent can cause an irritated nose, throat and lungs. If inhaled long enough, it can result in damage to the mucous membranes, nosebleeds, cause ulcers and even perforate the septum. In Russia, exposure to chromium hexavalent is blamed for a wide number of premature senility cases. Studies have also proven that inhalation of chromium hexavalent can increase the chances of developing lung cancer.
The Boxer/Feinstein bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to act within a year to set a safe limit for chromium-6 in drinking water.
People from all over the United States submitted tap water samples from their communities. This groundbreaking, people-powered report detected chromium-6 in 31 of the 35 city water supplies tested. Even though this report stirred controversy, our findings were confirmed by a number of water utilities’ own testing. Within hours of its release, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced a new plan to help local utilities assess chromium-6 in drinking water nationwide. That’s a good first step. But EPA must go further.
Last week, Ken Cook, the President of the Environmental Working Group testified on the chromium-6 report before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Senator Boxer. He testified in support of the EPA’s announcement to regulate perchlorate, but it is not enough. The Protecting Pregnant Women and Children from Hexavalent Chromium Act of 2011 will make sure there is a safe legal limit on chromium-6 in drinking water.
Ken Cook, the EWG, and the EPA are concerned with ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, clean drinking water. This hearing—and this bill—are a direct result of EWG’s research. “Keep on doing what you’re doing,” Senator Boxer said in her concluding comments at the hearing.
Click HERE to tell your senators to co-sponsor the Protecting Pregnant Women and Children from Hexavalent Chromium Act of 2011.
Safe, clean drinking water is vital to everyone’s health. Everyone must take action to ensure that everyone has access to safe drinking water.
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