Cancer-causing metal found in drinking water across N.J.

Nearly 200 million Americans, including many in New Jersey, have tap water that contains a toxin that can cause cancer even from minute exposures, according to a report by an advocacy group.

Chromium-6, a toxic metal that can cause liver damage, reproductive and developmental problems and cancer, was found in water systems in every New Jersey county, Environmental Working Group said in its report.

The toxin, also known as hexavalent chromium, was the pollutant that gained notoriety in the 2000 movie, "Erin Brockovich."

An interactive map compiled by Environmental Working Group based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency provides a breakdown of its findings, which show the presence of chromium-6 in water systems in all 50 states.

While chromium-6 was repeatedly found in New Jersey drinking water, the levels were significantly below the current standard used by the Garden State. The levels were also below the most stringent threshold of 10 parts per billion — the equivalent of 10 drops of water in an Olympic-sized pool — set by California.

However, Environmental Working Group said the safe drinking water standard for chromium-6 is too high. The group relied on California’s public health goal of 0.02 parts per billion […]

Full article: Cancer-causing metal found in drinking water across N.J.

More about chromium and chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium):

Erin Brockovich is warning about an emerging drinking-water crisis in the USA

New water tests in Houston find cancer-causing chromium 6

U.S. Steel dumps more toxic chromium near Lake Michigan, faces lawsuit

State toxicologist: Claim that North Carolina well water was safe was ‘scientifically untrue’

Millions in Michigan exposed to potentially unsafe chemicals in their water