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New Study Looks At Cancer Causing Chemical In Villanova Area Water

(CBS) - A new study released on Monday looks at the effects of hexavalent chromium in our water supply. The environmental group that released the study found higher than acceptable levels in the water system serving the Villanova area.

Hexavalent chromium is a probable carcinogen that was made famous in the film Erin Brockovich. A group called the Environmental Working Group is measuring hexavalent chromium throughout the country in 35 major cities to take a look at whether or not it is a problem in our drinking water.

The organization says there are concerns. Hexavalent chromium has been long known to cause lung cancer when inhaled, but scientists only recently found evidence that it causes cancer in laboratory animals when ingested. It's been linked in animals to liver and kidney damage, as well as stomach cancer and leukemia.

There was no mention of the Philadelphia water supply.

You can read the group's findings here.

Reported by: Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio

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