California Health Officials Recommend Stricter Hexavalent Chromium Limits For Drinking Water

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- California environmental health officials are recommending stricter limits on a carcinogen in drinking water whose dangers became more widely known after the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich."

Scientists with the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment said Friday water systems should have no more than 0.02 parts per billion of hexavalent chromium. That's down from their 2009 recommendation of 0.06 parts per billion.

They said the revised proposal is based on new research that shows certain populations are more susceptible to health risks from exposure to carcinogens.

It is intended to guide state public health officials as they develop an enforceable standard for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

Brockovich sued Pacific Gas & Electric Co. over hexavalent chromium releases in the town of Hinkley.

(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)