Toxic Plume of Chromium Spreads at Town Made Famous by Erin Brokovich

LA Testing provides testing services for hazardous materials to protect people and the environment.

Garden Grove, CA

Last month MSNBC reported that a toxic plume of chromium has spread to numerous groundwater wells in a California desert town made famous by actress Julia Roberts in the Erin Brockovich movie. According to the article, regulators have reported increasing concentrations of chromium that had been discharged decades ago in wells near the town of Hinkley.

Hexavalent chromium, or chromium 6, is believed to be a human carcinogen and is recognized as such via inhalation exposure. It refers to chemical compounds that contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. In 2001 the California Department of Health Services (now known as the CDPH) adopted regulations that added chromium 6 to the list of ‘unregulated chemicals for which requiring monitoring is required’ (UCMR).

Not only can hexavalent chromium contaminate groundwater, it is also a threat to many industrial workers due to inhalation exposure. Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium occurs during the production of stainless steel, chromate chemicals and chromate pigments. Exposures also occur during other work activities such as stainless steel welding, thermal cutting, chrome plating, painting and coating processes.

A leading provider of hexavalent chromium testing services to ensure a healthy environment and indoor air quality (IAQ) is LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical. “NIOSH considers all hexavalent chromium compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Other adverse health effects associated with exposure include dermal irritation, skin ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth. LA Testing offers testing solutions to ensure people are safe from its exposure.”

To learn more about hexavalent chromium or other environmental testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail