{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000051","name":"Municipal Tap Water with Unregulated Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI))","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"","tags":[]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Cr(VI) detected in 75% of US tap water systems above California health goal (0.02 ppb); EPA only regulates total chromium (0.1 mg/L) mixing Cr(VI) carcinogen with non-toxic Cr(III); no federal Cr(VI)-specific MCL Key materials: Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) in Drinking Water.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.698,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Infant exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Carcinogenicity concern (high): Chromium(VI) / Hexavalent Chromium"],"sensitive_populations":"","exposure_routes":""},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","inhalation"],"contact_types":["oral_direct","dermal"],"users":["adult","child","infant"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children"],"notes":"Exposure to Municipal Tap Water with Unregulated Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) occurs via dermal, inhalation. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling)."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Contains known carcinogen","meaning":"Chromium(VI) / Hexavalent Chromium — classified by IARC or NTP as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans","action":"Minimize exposure; consider alternatives; follow use guidelines strictly"},{"indicator":"Overall risk level: high","meaning":"Multiple hazard pathways identified for this product category","action":"Limit exposure duration and frequency; use protective measures where applicable"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"NSF/ANSI 42 or 53 certified treatment","meaning":"Water treatment device independently verified for contaminant reduction","verification":"Check NSF International database for certified devices"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What contaminants have been detected in my water supply?","why_it_matters":"EPA MCLs do not cover all contaminants of concern; check your local Consumer Confidence Report or EWG Tap Water Database"},{"question":"Has this product been tested for carcinogenic compounds?","why_it_matters":"Products in this category may contain or release carcinogenic compounds; independent testing provides verification beyond manufacturer claims"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Certified bottled drinking water","notes":"Regulated and tested; eliminates Cr(VI) exposure risk"},{"name":"Point-of-use reverse osmosis system","notes":"Removes hexavalent chromium; provides treated tap water at home"},{"name":"Pitcher filters (NSF certified)","notes":"Affordable interim option; verify Cr(VI) removal certification"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) — EPA MCLs","citation":null,"requirements":"Maximum contaminant levels for >90 chemicals in public water systems. Lead and Copper Rule. PFAS MCLs (4 ppt PFOA/PFOS, Hazard Index for PFHxS/PFNA/HFPO-DA/PFBS).","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"NSF/ANSI 61 — Drinking Water System Components","citation":null,"requirements":"Products in contact with drinking water must not leach contaminants above health-effects levels. Applies to pipes, fittings, treatment chemicals.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"EPA SDWA","issuer":"EPA","standard":"Safe Drinking Water Act","scope":"National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, MCLs"},{"name":"NSF/ANSI 61","issuer":"NSF International","standard":"NSF/ANSI 61 Drinking Water System Components","scope":"Health effects of drinking water system components"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":null,"disposal_guidance":"N/A — infrastructure","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"10+_years"},"formulation":{"form":"liquid","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","name":"Water (H2O)","role":"base_material","concentration_pct":">99"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000002","name":"Mineral content (Ca, Mg, Na, K)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"0.1-0.5"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000015","name":"Disinfectant residue (chlorine, fluoride)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"0.5-2"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000043","name":"Contaminants (trace, varies by location)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-env-000036","material_name":"Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) in Drinking Water","component":null,"prevalence":"common"}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-env-000036","concern":"Chromium(VI) / chromate ion (IARC 1)","compounds_of_concern":["Chromium(VI) / chromate ion"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-env-000036","concern":"Chromium(III) (IARC 3, GHS: Danger)","compounds_of_concern":["Chromium(III)"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-env-000036","concern":"Total chromium (Cr(III) equilibrium species)","compounds_of_concern":["Total chromium (Cr(III) equilibrium species)"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-env-000036","concern":"Potential contaminant: Total chromium (Cr(III) equilibrium species)","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000085","compound_name":"Chromium(VI) / Hexavalent Chromium","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000632","compound_name":"Chromium(III) / Trivalent Chromium","role":"base","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["municipal tap water with unregulated hexavalent chromium)","cr(vi"],"brands":["Municipal water systems serving 250 million Americans","Chromium-contaminated aquifer regions"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"id":"epa_guidance","type":"reference","notes":"https://www.epa.gov/","inherited_from":"hq-m-env-000036"},{"id":"ewg_report","type":"reference","notes":"EWG 2016 tap water chromium analysis","inherited_from":"hq-m-env-000036"},{"id":"atsdr_pfoa","type":"reference","notes":"ATSDR chromium toxicological profile","inherited_from":"hq-m-env-000036"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:25:48.571Z"}}