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PROVO, Utah (AP) — A dozen municipal drinking water systems in Utah County have been found to contain trace amounts of a possible carcinogen.
The Daily Herald in Provo reports that data from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates chromium-6 is present in small amounts.
The Environmental Working Group displayed which counties have the element with an interactive map that was released earlier this month.
According to the EPA, chromium-6 is naturally found in the environment but can also be a by-product of industrial processes.
The agency has been studying the health risks of long-term exposure since 2008.
The study found chromium-6, which other studies indicate it causes cancer when inhaled, may be a carcinogen when ingested.
The EPA says it has yet to determine if the current chromium standard needs to be revised.
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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldextra.com
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