Leaked documents seen by the Guardian suggest a source of drinking water close to a $1bn (£800m) mining project owned by the Indonesia-based Harita Group on remote Obi Island, was contaminated with unsafe levels of hexavalent chromium (Cr6), the cancer-causing chemical more widely known for its role in the Erin Brockovich story and film.

Cr6 can cause liver damage, reproductive problems and developmental harm when ingested or inhaled. Long-term exposure through drinking water has also been linked to stomach cancer. Evidence has shown that Cr6 in drinking water can be a result of industrial processes.

  • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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    2 days ago

    They mentioned her because people probably remember what the chemical did and major settlement from the pollution as to why this chemical release is so important.

    • sensiblepuffin
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      2 days ago

      Yes, I’m aware, I’m just pointing out that you can have watched the movie/followed the story and not known what the substance was.

      • GreenKnight23@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        I didn’t know what the substance was but I know who Erin is.

        I’m not even sure what you’re arguing for or against here, do you?

        • sensiblepuffin
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          2 days ago

          I’m not arguing against anything! Just making discussion. If no one comments, Lemmy will die.

      • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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        2 days ago

        That might be true of you, but that likely isn’t true for a lot of people. I can see a lot of people blanking out over the chemical that have everyone cancer in that movie.