Industry-Funded Researchers Propose Cr6 Risk Level Weaker Than EPA Limit

摘要

A group of industry-funded researchers is proposing a risk level for hexavalent chromium (Cr6) in drinking water that is weaker than EPA's drinking water standard for total chromium, which includes both Cr6 and other forms of the compound, and arguing that their research shows the agency's standard is protective and need not be strengthened. But EPA appears to be cautioning in a white paper outlining issues for discussion at a meeting Sept. 19 that some studies seeking to account for how ingested Cr6 is reduced in the human body are "inherently imprecise" due to variations in test conditions, including pH, dilution, time elapsed, diet and food present during collection. The white paper is available on InsideEPA.com. See page 2 for details. (Doc ID: 2446860) At issue is how to assess the risks posed by ingesting Cr6 and how and whether to strengthen enforceable drinking standards once the assessment is completed.