GALION –The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and a Washington, D.C. environmental advocacy group, Environmental Working Group, are at odds after releasing results from a 2013- 2015 survey citing the public utilities’ water systems in Crawford County carrying high levels of Chromium-6.
Chromium-6 or Hexavalent Chromium, a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals and soil is found to be a carcinogen.
The federal minimum for the chromium is 100 parts per billion, but study researcher David Andrews said that number is an amount which would show external issues, like a skin rash. Lower numbers of chromium-6 can still have an effect on organs.
In the study, water carrying the chromium was consumed by lab rats and mice who were found to develop stomach and intestinal cancers, David Andrews, a researcher during the study said.
On average, Galion tested at 1.5 ppb — nearly 80 percent lower than California’s standard of 10 ppm — according to the study, and Bucyrus‘ results were recorded as .16 ppb.
Galion Mayor, Tom O’leary was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Andrews admitted the test subjects had a lower intolerance to the chromium-6, but the test is the best option as far as testing in this nature can go. He also said human data can show further evidence in how chromium-6 could cause stomach and intestinal tumors.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency refuted the findings of the study in an official statement.
“This report was issued by an alarmist advocacy group not affiliated with the federal or state EPA. There is no national standard or health advisory level for Chromium-6; there is a national standard for total chromium, which is 100 ppb. California established a state specific level of 10 ppb. All systems in Ohio tested below California’s standard of 10 ppb. Ohio EPA’s data shows that the highest level of chromium 6 in Ohio was a third of that number; most sample results are below 1 ppb, generally indicating that the source may be naturally occurring.”
Andrews said California, the only state with a maximum contaminant level of 10 ppb, but the public health goal for their for drinking water’s Chromium-6 level to be 0.02 ppb.
“That’s the minimal risk level,” Andrews said. “That would be 1 million people drinking over 70 years with one more unexpected case of tumors.”
Andrews said EWG would like for the study to be used as an example to show the EPA’s “inability to set new drinking standards.”
The national EPA is working on having Ohio adopt the national health standard for drinking water.
“U.S. EPA is conducting a national scientific review of this chemical, which Ohio is participating in. If U.S. EPA sets a national health standard for drinking water, Ohio will move quickly to adopt this standard to protect Ohioans.”
