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Carcinogenic Chromium-6 Widespread in U.S. Tap Water

Honolulu second most polluted in nation

Chromium-6 is the toxic pollutant that figured in the Erin Brockovich movie. It was carelessly disposed of by Pacific Gas & Electric and polluted the California town of Hinkley's drinking water, with disastrous consequences for the townspeople. PG&E denied, denied, denied, but ultimately wound up paying a $333 million settlement in response to the lawsuit brought by Brockovich and her law firm.

Hinkley's average amount of chromium-6 was 1.19 ppb. Honolulu's one-time test by the Evironmental Working Group showed a 2.0 ppb result.

Where is the chromium-6 in Honolulu's tap water coming from?

Hexavalent chromium [chromium-6] is commonly discharged from steel and pulp mills as well as metal-plating and leather-tanning facilities. It can also pollute water through erosion of soil and rock. —Environmental Working Group

Chromium-6 is also commonly associated with textile dyes, wood preservation and anti-corrosion coatings.

It seems that some of these facilities on Oahu may have been dumping chromium-6 either on the ground or in a nearby body of water, from where it worked its way into Honolulu's artesian wells from which the city gets its drinking water.

If you know of any business that is dumping their chromium-6 waste on the ground or in Oahu's waters, send HPI an email.

Read more . . . [Environmental Working Group]