Erin Brockovich Inspires Proposed Law Limiting Chromium 6 In Water

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California would limit the level of a known carcinogen in tap water under legislation proposed by a state lawmaker.

Democratic Assemblywoman Nora Campos of San Jose held a news conference Tuesday to promote her bill, which was inspired in part by environmental advocate Erin Brockovich.

Campos wants the state Department of Public Health to limit hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium 6. If it does not, California would adopt a maximum limit of 0.02 parts per billion. The federal standard is 100 parts per billion.

A study by the Environmental Working Group found drinking water in 31 of 35 cities nationwide had more than 0.02 parts per billion of hexavalent chromium. Riverside and San Jose were among the cities with the highest levels.

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