Schiff Pushes for Chromium 6 Study
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) asked the state Congressional delegation on Thursday to sign a letter urging national toxics researchers to conduct a definitive cancer study of the heavy metal chromium 6.
A byproduct of metal plating, painting and other industrial processes, chromium 6 has been found in drinking water throughout Los Angeles County. Although it is a known carcinogen when inhaled as a vapor, scientists disagree over what threat it poses when ingested in water.
Schiff said he believes the National Toxicology Program should launch a definitive study to determine if chromium 6 causes cancer from ingestion through drinking water.
The National Toxicology Program, based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., is part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
At an October state legislative hearing, scientists, including USC toxicology professor Joseph R. Landolph, urged lawmakers to nominate chromium 6 for the program, which conducts extensive cancer studies. Even if the program agrees to study the chemical, scientists say it could take years before the findings are made public.
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