NORMAN — A Central Oklahoma water expert on Tuesday questioned the methodology and conclusions in the national water study that put Norman on the map for relatively high levels of the potential carcinogen chromium-6 in the water supply.
John Harrington, a hydrogeologist who works professionally as director of water resources for the Association of Central Oklahoma governments, said the study by Environmental Working Group lacked peer review, made some questionable claims and was not transparent in its water sample collection practices.
“For a science report, this reads a little bit like the National Enquirer,” Harrington told the Cleveland County GOP Club at its monthly luncheon Tuesday. “I don’t think this thing has been peer reviewed. I don’t think it’s ready for prime time.”
EWG, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that specializes in environmental research and advocacy, announced in December that Norman’s water supply had the highest level of hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, of the 35 cities tested this past spring.
He said the study appeared to be aimed at helping influence California officials into setting a limit of 0.06 parts per billion for chromium-6 in drinking water. Norman’s water tested at more than 200 times that limit.
“This is a California thing. This does not apply to Oklahoma,” he said. “If we went with the California standards, you could pretty much write off that aquifer.”
Harrington said water sample takers are usually trained and know to avoid water sources that may be tainted by the distribution system. For example, a test taken in the old part of the courthouse may be tained by aging steel pipes.
“There was nothing in here that tells me there was any quality control,” Harrington said.
Norman’s sample, according to EWG, tested at 12.9 parts per billion compared with a low of 0.03 for Cincinnati and 0.20 for Los Angeles.
“That is a phenomenally small thing. That’s like a dropper of something in an Olympic sized swiming pool,” Harrington said of the amounts found.
Harrington also questioned the premise that levels of chromium-6 had any impact on the human population. Of the four studies done internationally, one in China was dismissed for errors and the other three showed no correlation between chromium-6 and cancer. He shared information showing no correlation between Norman’s relatively normal cancer rate and chromium-6.
“I’m not really interested in what the stuff does to rats. I’m interested in what it does to people,” Harrington said.
After the Dec. 20 report, EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced the federal government will issue guidelines to all public water systems on how to test for and sample drinking water specifically for hexavalent chromium.
Harrington said the EPA is treading on thin ice by promising regulations to correct a problem that science can’t confirm.
“This is going to be one of those things that you want to stand back because the fur is going to fly in about a year,” he said.
Andy Rieger editor@normantranscript.com 366-3543
