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News Coverage

USA Today: EPA acts to address carcinogen in U.S. tap water

USA Today, Wendy Koch
Published December 23, 2010

The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it's taking steps to address the problem of chromium-6, a likely carcinogen, in U.S. tap water. The Environmental Protection Agency's chief, Lisa Jackson, said her agency will work with local and state officials to "get a better picture of exactly how widespread this problem is." She said it will offer technical help to communities identified this week as having the chemical, also known as hexavalent chromium, in their drinking water. The Washington-based Environmental Working Group released a study Monday that found the tap water of 31 U.S. cities had chromium-6, deemed a probable carcinogen by the National Institutes of Health in 2008. It found the highest levels in Norman, Okla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Riverside, Calif; Madison, Wis.; and San Jose, Calif. "We commend Administrator Jackson and the Obama administration for taking these important steps," said Ken Cook, EWG's president and co-founder, in a statement. "The water utilities are in a very tough position — often overwhelmed, underfunded and responsible for providing the safest drinking water they can. They need help from Washington, and today they got it." Click here to read this post.
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