Catch up on the latest news and analysis from EWG’s team of experts.
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Harmful heavy metals: Why they’re in tap water and how to reduce your exposure
Heavy metals can be harmful even at low levels in tap water. Lead is a heavy metal contaminant in that it comes from pipes, not polluters. Filters like reverse osmosis can remove some heavy metals...
Do you need to test for toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in your home’s tap water?
Millions of Americans have the harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water, according to federal and state data in EWG’s updated Tap Water Database . But some smaller water systems...
Six hazardous contaminants in drinking water
U.S. tap water should be safe. However, millions of Americans may face a higher risk of developing illnesses because of levels of contaminants in our drinking water that still get a pass from federal...
What is chromium-6? Here’s what you need to know
Hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6, is the cancer-causing chemical that poisoned the community of Hinkley, Calif., made notorious by the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich.”
UPDATE: ‘Erin Brockovich’ Carcinogen in 250 Million Americans’ Drinking Water
In 2016, an EWG report found that chromium-6 – a cancer-causing compound made notorious by the film “Erin Brockovich” – contaminated the tap water supplies of 218 million Americans in all 50 states...
'Erin Brockovich' Chemical in Drinking Water of More than 200 Million Americans
Drinking water supplies for two-thirds of Americans are contaminated with the carcinogenic chemical made notorious by the film "Erin Brockovich," which was based on the real-life poisoning of tap...
EWG, NRDC Sue California for Failing to Act on Chromium-6 Contamination
This week, EWG joined the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in filing a suit against California regulators for failing to develop a drinking water standard to protect millions of state...
Louisville Water Co. Slashes Chrome-6 Pollution
In 2010, EWG identified chromium-VI contamination in the drinking water of 31 of the 35 cities we tested. One Kentucky city has stepped up to solve that problem.
Good, Bad and Truly Awful: Top Environmental Stories of 2011
People are messy. So is nature. And what people do when nature unleashes its fury often makes things worse. The staff at Environmental Working Group took a look at the major environmental news stories...
California and Hawaii Lead the Way on Chromium-6; Some States Standing in the Way
Across the nation, water agencies have conducted hundreds of voluntary tests for this pollutant in response to EWG's startling discovery in 2010 that chromium-6 contamination is widespread in...
Water utilities, meet water drinkers.
The Water Research Foundation, an offshoot of the American Water Works Association of water utilities, has accused Environmental Working Group of informing utility customers about the presence of...
New old news: 2004 Industry Tests Found 'Brockovich' Chemical Nationwide
Tap water industry representatives made no mention of their chromium-6 2004 study when they testified alongside EWG at a Feb. 2 Senate environment committee hearing on chromium-6 pollution.
Chromium-6 in Gas Drilling Wastes?
The boom in natural gas drilling across the United States has spawned well-warranted fears that the fluids and chemicals used to free the gas from surrounding rock could pose a risk to drinking water...
Senate Hearing Focuses on EWG's Chromium-6 Study
Environmental Working Group's recent national study that detected widespread drinking water contamination by carcinogenic chromium-6 was the subject of intense discussion this morning at a well...
Clarification
After our May 16 blog about consultant Dennis Paustenbach's possible appointment to an EPA panel on asbestos, we received a letter from Dr. Paustenbach's attorney. It says our use of the word "fraud"...
Would you buy an asbestos study from this man?
He's back. Dennis C. Paustenbach, a.k.a. Dr. Evil, the science-for-hire consultant who rarely met a chemical he didn't like, is on the short list of potential appointees to the EPA Science Advisory...
Journalism triumphs over powerful carcinogen in New Jersey soil
The Pump Handle's David Michaels calls this triumph of investigative journalism to our attention.
UPDATE: EPA to deny 'Brokovitch' carcinogen for residential use
After pressure from EWG and an ABC News story, EPA has announced it will “deny all applications for registration of acid copper chromate, known as ACC, as a wood preservative pesticide intended for...
EPA may allow 'Brockovich' carcinogen in wood preservative
On January 19, EPA will decide whether to allow unrestricted use of a potent human carcinogen in lumber sold at hardware and home improvement stores. Hexavalent chromium–the "Erin Brockovich" chemical...
Enviro-Friendly Furniture
If you're looking for couches with wood from sustainable forests, fabric free of flame retardants and finished off with non-toxic dyes, stains and glues, Q Collection makes them not just green, but...