California is leading the country with a proposal that creates a new safe water limit for the cancer causing contaminant called Chromium-6.
Recent state water tests found about a third of tested water sources had levels of Chromium-6 in the golden state. The proposed regulations would set the maximum contaminant level for Chromium-6 at 10 parts per billion. That is five times less than the current chromium standard of 50 parts per billion. The federal standard is 100 parts per billion. Dr. Mark Starr with the State Public Health Department said, "Chromium 6 has been identified as a carcinogen. It can cause cancer, and especially if inhaled.. That's been known for some time.. But more recent studies have suggested that it may cause cancer if it's injected and so California has been proactive insetting a standard that's much more restrictive than the current standard in California. And more restrictive than federal standards."
Chromium-6 is a pollutant from industrial production. It is also a naturally occurring element found in water and rocks. The state department of public health will hold public hearings for more input about chromium in October. Health officials say it would cost water systems $156 million dollars each year to remove the carcinogen to meet the new state standards.