to chromium- 6, we will work closely with states and local offi-
cials to ensure the safety of America’s drinking water supply,”
said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This action is another
step forward in understanding the problem and working to-
wards a solution that is based on the best available science and
the law.”
The monitoring guidance recommends where systems should
collect samples and how often they should be collected, along
with analytical methods for laboratory testing.
EPA’s latest data show that no public water systems are in violation of the agency’s 100 ppb standard for total chromium,
which includes both the toxic hexavalent and nontoxic trivalent
forms. EPA assumes that samples are 100 percent hexavalent.
In September 2010, EPA released a draft of the scientific review for public comment. When the human health assessment
is finalized in 2011, EPA will review the conclusions and determine whether a new standard needs to be set.
EPA’s guidance is available at http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/
chromium/ guidance.cfm. The study of hexavalent chromium in
drinking water by the Environmental Working Group can be
found at http://static.ewg.org/reports/2010/chrome6/html/
home.html. More information about chromium is available from
the EPA website at http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/chromium/
index.cfm.
