A plume of hexavalent chromium made famous by the movie Erin Brockovich is growing and threatening some of the same families exposed to the carcinogen decades ago.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) refers to chemical compounds that contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Virtually all chromium ore is processed via hexavalent chromium, specifically the salt sodium dichromate. Approximately 136,000,000 kilograms (300,000,000 lb) of hexavalent chromium were produced in 1985.[1] Other hexavalent chromium compounds are chromium trioxide and various salts of chromate and dichromate. Hexavalent chromium is used for the production of stainless steel, textile dyes, wood preservation, leather tanning, and as anti-corrosion and conversion coatings as well as a variety of niche uses.
Hexavalent chromium is recognized as a human carcinogen via inhalation.
Note the language of the PG&E official being interviewed in this segment. “The approach that we are taking with the residents of Hinkley is…”. Then he describes ‘the approach’ as if it is a strategy rather than just a company doing the right thing.
ORC insists Chromium VI is not a concern in Coos County but many question their credibility. Commissioner Bob Main and others have expressed frustration with ORC over perceived conflicting statements made by the company in the last three years of negotiating a mineral lease.
Unlike PG&E at the time of the Hinkley, California litigation, ORC appears to be thinly backed and residents in the vicinity of the mines fear for groundwater contamination and of having no recourse for damages.
