PLATE. YEAH. ZOOMED IN RIGHT THERE. THERE IS A CHEMICAL COMMONLY FOUND IN OKLAHOMA’S WATER SUPPLY THAT’S BEEN LINKED TO CANCER. AND NOW LAWMAKERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO DECREASE ITS LEVELS. KOCO ZACH RAEL, JOINING US LIVE HERE IN STUDIO WITH MORE ZACH ON THIS STUDY THAT WAS JUST HELD. YES, EVAN. THIS CHEMICAL IS CALLED CHROMIUM SIX. YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD IT BEING CALLED THE ERIN BROCKOVICH CHEMICAL. IT’S BEEN DETECTED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF OUR STATE. AND LAWMAKERS WANT TO KNOW WHY. AND IF THERE’S ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO LIMIT IT. I DIDN’T WANT TO, LIKE, RAISE THE RED FLAGS LIKE, OH MY GOSH, OUR WATER IS JUST HORRIBLY POISONED OR WHATEVER. NOTHING LIKE THAT. OKLAHOMA REPRESENTATIVE JACOB ROSECRANS, WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF THE NORMAN AREA, SAYS SOME OF THE STATE’S HIGHEST LEVELS OF CHROMIUM SIX WERE FOUND IN HIS DISTRICT. IT’S A HEAVY METAL THAT CAN OCCUR NATURALLY AND THROUGH VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL USES, BUT EXPOSURE TO IT CAN
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Oklahoma lawmakers discuss chemical commonly found in water linked to cancer
Oklahoma lawmakers are investigating elevated levels of chromium-6 in the state's water supply, a chemical linked to cancer.
Oklahoma lawmakers are examining ways to reduce chromium-6 levels in the state's water supply after an interim study revealed elevated levels in certain areas.Exposure to chromium-6, which is also known as the "Erin Brockovich chemical," can cause cancer, liver damage, reproductive problems and developmental harm. >> Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here."I didn't want to raise the red flag like, 'Oh my gosh, our water is horribly poisoned.' Nothing like that," said state Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, who represents House District 46, which includes part of the Norman area. "It's a heavy metal that can occur naturally or through various industrial uses."Rosecrants said that some of the state's highest levels of chromium-6 were found in his district. "Everything we are seeing here are naturally occurring," Rosecrants said. A map presented during the interim study at the state Capitol showed each dot indicating where the chemical was found in the water system."What we found out is chromium-6 levels are highest around Cleveland County and up and down I-35," Rosecrants said.Lawmakers heard from experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Norman about the chemical, which has been linked to cancers.While the levels are elevated, Rosecrants said the experts believe the chemical is naturally occurring rather than something humans are causing."It gives me comfort," he said. >> Download the KOCO 5 AppCurrently, the EPA is conducting a large study on chromium-6, which is expected to either propose new or improved regulations or determine that nothing further needs to be done."Should the report say we have to do something about this, I want to get the ball rolling, especially in the legislative area. It is going to take money to make sure our water infrastructure can handle something like that," Rosecrants said.The study isn't expected to be completed until 2027. "Our city’s water is safe by DEQ/EPA standards currently, but we are staying aware of any new requirements that may be announced in 2027 and will act accordingly," the city of Norman, which has been tracking this issue for some time, said in a statement. Top Headlines New ruling renews scrutiny against license plate detection systems Man dies in Choctaw explosion while working on vehicle's brakes, police say Bixby High School principal no longer with district following arrest at school dance What to watch as JD Vance and Tim Walz meet for a vice presidential debate
Oklahoma lawmakers are examining ways to reduce chromium-6 levels in the state's water supply after an interim study revealed elevated levels in certain areas.
Exposure to chromium-6, which is also known as the "Erin Brockovich chemical," can cause cancer, liver damage, reproductive problems and developmental harm.
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>> Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
"I didn't want to raise the red flag like, 'Oh my gosh, our water is horribly poisoned.' Nothing like that," said state Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, who represents House District 46, which includes part of the Norman area. "It's a heavy metal that can occur naturally or through various industrial uses."
Rosecrants said that some of the state's highest levels of chromium-6 were found in his district.
"Everything we are seeing here are naturally occurring," Rosecrants said.
A map presented during the interim study at the state Capitol showed each dot indicating where the chemical was found in the water system.
"What we found out is chromium-6 levels are highest around Cleveland County and up and down I-35," Rosecrants said.
Lawmakers heard from experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Norman about the chemical, which has been linked to cancers.
While the levels are elevated, Rosecrants said the experts believe the chemical is naturally occurring rather than something humans are causing.
"It gives me comfort," he said.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
Currently, the EPA is conducting a large study on chromium-6, which is expected to either propose new or improved regulations or determine that nothing further needs to be done.
"Should the report say we have to do something about this, I want to get the ball rolling, especially in the legislative area. It is going to take money to make sure our water infrastructure can handle something like that," Rosecrants said.
The study isn't expected to be completed until 2027.
"Our city’s water is safe by DEQ/EPA standards currently, but we are staying aware of any new requirements that may be announced in 2027 and will act accordingly," the city of Norman, which has been tracking this issue for some time, said in a statement.
Top Headlines
- New ruling renews scrutiny against license plate detection systems
- Man dies in Choctaw explosion while working on vehicle's brakes, police say
- Bixby High School principal no longer with district following arrest at school dance
- What to watch as JD Vance and Tim Walz meet for a vice presidential debate
