Chromium

The glories of science in the media. We often watch amazing videos about history, politics, and teaching, but there are fewer movies that highlight science and its impact on society. To counteract all of you science fiction fans, please go back and read the word directly following science (fiction). While I agree that there is scientific content expressed in these movies, it does not relate to how it affects our society.

I only caught the movie Erin Brockovich after scanning TV channels in a fit of boredom a month ago. While I knew it was about law, I was unaware of its ties to science and chemistry in particular. To refresh your memories or for those of you who haven't seen it, the trailer is below:

 
Erin Brockovich found documents pertaining to drinking water in Hinkley, CA  that contained hexavalent chromium, a chromium compound that is a known carcinogen (cancer causing). Not all chromium is bad - it is found in stainless steel products and our body actually utilizes another form of chromium. But the average levels of hexavalent chromium in Hinkley drinking water were 1.19 parts per billion (ppb) while elsewhere in California, the levels are around 0.06 ppb. The hexavalent chromium was being leaked into the drinking water by Pacific Gas and Electric company, which caused the levels to rise to dangerous proportions. From 1996 to 2008, 196 cases of cancer in a population of 1915 people were reported (1 in 10 people were diagnosed with cancer). Along with lawyer Ed Masry, Erin Brockovich sued PG and E and won $333 million for more than 600 residents affected by the tainted drinking water. Because of this case, the state of California now requires tests to detect for hexavalent chromium in drinking water (they are the only state to do this).

Just stop and think about this. We are affected by science everyday, most often without being cognizant of it. For the Hinkley residents, they were told by PG and E that the hexavalent chromium was harmless and if anything was actually good for them.


Fun Fact: The name chromium is derived from the Greek word chroma meaning colors. Chromium produces many different colored pigments which have been used in paints for school buses and postal vehicles (organic pigments have since replaced chromium because they are more environmentally friendly).