Why the recent interest in chromium VI?
A recent movie has focused massive public attention on the potential dangers of chromium VI. The movie was based on events that took place in the town of Hinkley, California, where an extraordinarily high concentration of chromium VI was found in the drinking water. However, there is a lack of factual evidence to substantiate the claim that a multitude of illnesses in the town were linked to chromium VI. There is an unfortunate perception that this is a new problem. In fact, chromium health effects have been studied for years with a focus on the inhalation of airborne chromium VI particlesthe primary source of risk. The first health effects study on chromium dates back to 1948, and studies continue through to the present day. Is my drinking water safe? Yes. Calleguas water meets all state and federal standards, maximum contaminant levels, public health goals, and health protective levels for total chromium and chromium VI. Calleguas source is surface water from the State Water Project,
