# “Toxic Clout” shines a much-needed light on the chemical industry’s undue influence over toxic chemical decisions

*Published:* 2013-03-25
*Author:* 

*Rachel Shaffer* is a research assistant.

Remember the 2000 hit film, [Erin Brockovich](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/)? It was the Hollywood version of a real-life investigation into the contamination of groundwater in Hinkley, California with a known human carcinogen called hexavalent chromium (or hexchrome for short).

Well, hexchrome is back on (a slightly smaller) screen, this time featured in a two-part series by the [Center for Public Integrity (CPI)](http://www.publicintegrity.org/) and [PBS NewsHour](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/).

The series, which aired on public TV stations earlier this month, highlights the continuing problem of hexchrome contamination around the country, including the still-unresolved situation in Hinkley. Some 70 million Americans are exposed to this carcinogen through the water they drink.

But the program also dives into another, even more concerning problem: Years of delay in finalizing EPA’s risk assessment for the toxic metal, a prerequisite to any effective regulation. Why the delay? Unfortunately, it’s an all-too-[familiar story](http://blogs.edf.org/nanotechnology/2012/11/14/edf-comments-at-epas-public-stakeholder-meeting-on-its-iris-program/): the chemical industry is stalling the process.

And what are the consequences? As EDF’s Senior Scientist Dr. Richard Denison says in the series: “Decisions delayed are health protections denied.” The [chromium standard for drinking water](http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/chromium/) has not been updated since 1991 and does not reflect recent scientific findings indicating that the standard needs to be significantly lowered to protect public health.

Check out the CPI/PBS segments (links below) and the related articles in CPI’s [Toxic Clout series](http://www.publicintegrity.org/environment/pollution/toxic-clout), which is part of an ongoing investigation of excessive industry influence in science and policy.

 Part 1: [Science for Sale](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/03/13/12308/video-science-sale)

 Part 2: [Decision Delayed on Dangerous Chemical in Drinking Water](http://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/03/18/12326/decision-delayed-dangerous-chemical-drinking-water)