Hexavalent Chromium Bill Introduced in the House

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has introduced HR 4266, a bill “…to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the health of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, infants, and children, by requiring a health advisory and drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium.” The measure has been referred to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for consideration.

Text of the bill is not yet available; however, it is deemed to be a companion measure to S 79 introduced in January 2011 by Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA). That bill would require EPA to: (1) publish a health advisory for hexavalent chromium that is fully protective of the health of vulnerable individuals (including pregnant women, infants, and children), taking into consideration body weight, exposure patterns, and all routes of exposure; and (2) establish a national primary drinking water regulation for hexavalent chromium that is protective of vulnerable individuals and the maximum contaminant level of which is as close to the maximum contaminant level goal for hexavalent chromium, and as protective of vulnerable individuals, as is feasible. S 79 also requires issuance of a health advisory within 90 days and a new National Public Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) within one year of enactment. Although referred to her own Senate Committee for consideration, the Boxer bill has not been the subject of any hearings since its introduction.