a water distiller.
Carcinogenic hexavalent chromium, the "Erin Brockovich chemical" was found in the tap water of 31 cities out of a total of 35 tested by The Environmental Working Group. The scientists estimate that at least 74 million people in the USA in 42 states regularly drink chromium-tainted water, and a considerable proportion of it is in the carcinogenic hexavalent form.
Hexavalent chromium is recognized as a human carcinogen. Some workers are exposed to the chemical, and exposure is known to sometimes occur among those who handle chromate-containing products, as well as those who arc weld stainless steel. The European Union has the world's strictest laws regarding hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium use in the European Union in electronic equipment, for example, is largely prohibited by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.
Highest levels of hexavalent chromium in tap water were found in Norman; Oklahoma, Riverside; California, and Honolulu; Hawaii. Safety limits proposed by California regulators were exceeded in samples from 25 US cities, the scientists revealed.
Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6 in drinking water shows "clear evidence of carcinogenic activity" in animal studies, significantly raising the likelihood of the development of gastrointestinal tumors.
An EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) draft toxicological review this year also found that tap water tainted with hexavalent chromium is "likely to be carcinogenic to humans".
A public health goal of 0.06 ppb (parts per billion) was proposed by Californian authorities in 2009, in an attempt to protect humans from cancer risk. The aim was to eventually set this limit nationwide.
Despite growing evidence of the dangers of hexavalent chromium in tap water, the EPA has done nothing about legal limit requirements. Water utility companies don't even have to test for levels in their tap water.
The average hexavalent chromium levels in the tested tap water was 0.18 ppb, compared to the recommended 0.06 ppb.
Top five cities tested:
- Norman, Oklahoma, population - 89,952
Hexavalent chromium level 12.9 ppb - Honolulu, Hawaii: population - 661,004
Hexavalent chromium level 2.00 ppb - Riverside, California, population - 280,832
Hexavalent chromium level 1.69 ppb - Madison, Wisconsin, population - 200,814
Hexavalent chromium level 1.58 ppb - San Jose, California, population - 979,000
Hexavalent chromium level 1.34 ppb
With so many tens of millions of Americans exposed to hexavalent chromium on a daily bases, the Environmental Working Group is urging the EPA to act - to set a legal limit on chromium-6, and make water utility companies regularly test levels of it in their tap water.
In a communiqué, the Environmental Working Group wrote:
- "The state of California must establish a strong standard for hexavalent chromium in tap water immediately. A truly health-protective hexavalent chromium regulation will reduce the cancer risk for Californians and serve as a model for the nation. With an enforceable standard already six years past the statutory deadline and the health of millions of Californians at stake, the state cannot move too quickly
- A footnote to this is that the EPA admits that they do not have the tools currently available to detect this chemical in tap water at the levels proposed for "safe" drinking water.
- More later,
- Sam/Nutriteam
- www.nutriteam.com
AT last, the hypocrites in the US SENATE, especially: Mitch McConnel & John McCain (remember SENATOR MAX CLELAND (D), GA, The REAL HERO, TRIPLE AMPUTEE (my former Senator when my wife and I lived in Georgia), who was run out of office by KARL ROVE) were defeated (not by a change of heart by this CLUBBY GROUP but by a recognition that the COURTS (the only refuge from the abuse by the MAJORITY) were going to force the issue and end this terrible injustice.
ReplyDeleteBy the way fellow bloggers, I
served in the US Air force from 12/20/50 thru 12/08/54 as a Flight Mechanic (C-47's)[ before moving on to duty as a B-29 FLIGHT ENGINEER/AIR REFUELING BOOM OPERATOR/INSTRUCTOR on KB-29's] and took part in the orientation flights of newly minted 2nd LT. FLIGHT Nurses flying out of Gunter AFB, Montgomery, AL while stationed across town at Maxwell AFB during the summer of 1952. We knew that some of the nurses could have been LESBIANS, but who the hell cared about it? (I should say that myself and my fellow "horny comrades" would have resented this tendency, if true, as a waste of perfectly formed WOMANHOOD on each other-this was unfair to us-reducing the pool of prospects, so to speak, "only in our dreams"). Their job was to treat the wounded en route to medical care from combat zones.( I am sure that badly wounded GI'S were concerned about the sexual preference of their caregivers). I have always considered John McCain to be one of the worst of the worst water carriers for CORPORATE AMERICA ( with Mitch McConnell & Lindsey Graham vying hard to replace him when he expires), hopefully sooner than later. The damage to this country's MIDDLE CLASS (gone) by the BUSHites, McCAINites, GRAHAMites, McCONNELLites, ROVEites, LOTTites, GINGRICHites, REAGONites, ARMYites... and their ilk, and let us not forget RUMSFELt, CONDELeasa, WOLFOwitts, and the CHAMPION of the NEW CLASS of CHICKEN HAWKS<> HIS EXCELLENCY DICK "DARTH VADER" CHENEY (how many deferments during VIETNAM 4,5,6? He had other PRIORITIES, REMEMBER???). has been so deep and hurtful that in my lifetime ( would you believe 79 1/2 years), we who survived the GREAT DEPRESSION, (not so great) have had to watch in horror & disbelief that as a country we have learned absolutely nothing from our HISTORY about the dangers of GREED & INTOLERANCE in a CORPORATE SOCIETY.
LET"S GET EDUCATED FOLKS (and fast) or we shall all meet the fate of THE PASSENGER PIGEON (look it up). BUT for today let us join in with a pat on the back to the courageous victims of "DON'T ASK DON'T TELL" and their long overdue VICTORY.