Eleven brands of bottled water contain levels of chromium 6 that don't meet standards now under consideration by the state, according to tests released Wednesday by Los Angeles County.

The county's Environmental Toxicology Bureau also released results of 990 tests of tap water at county government facilities, revealing that drinking water at some locations contains levels of chromium 6 and arsenic that would not meet state and federal standards under consideration.

``In a way, this confirms our fears about bottled water - that in some cases it's not better than what comes out of the tap,'' said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena. ``People drink bottled water to avoid chromium 6, arsenic and lead but now find there is no absolute safety in bottled water.''

Chromium 6, a cancer-causing chemical used in chrome plating and aerospace manufacturing processes, was highlighted in the Oscar-nominated movie ``Erin Brockovich.'' It has been detected in water systems across the state, including the San Fernando, Antelope and San Gabriel valleys.

Scientists agree the chemical is a known carcinogen when inhaled but disagree over safe limits when it is ingested in water.

``There have been many public discussions recently regarding the carcinogens ... chromium 6, arsenic and lead,'' Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said. ``Scientific standards for the safe levels of these elements in our drinking water vary, and what is an acceptable level today may not be acceptable tomorrow.''

In the bottled water study conducted between November and May of 57 brands, the highest concentration of chromium 6 at 1.6 parts per billion was found in Classic Selection bottled water.

In 1999, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment set a public health goal for chromium 6 of 0.2 ppb but is now reconsidering that goal and is expected to release a new one in spring 2003.

``That represents a level of chromium 6 that would not be expected to pose any health threats to someone drinking two liters of water a day for 70 years,'' said Allan Hirsch, spokesman for the office. ``If you are only drinking water with that level occasionally, any risk would be a lot less.''

Tests of the bottled water for arsenic found 11 brands, or 19 percent, with levels above 1 ppb.

Vittel brand bottled water had the highest concentration of arsenic at 10.5 ppb. In January, the federal Environmental Protection Agency reduced the standard for arsenic to 10 ppb, but President George W. Bush put the order on hold and the EPA later withdrew the lower standard and returned it to 50 ppb.

``I'm not going to say drink it or don't drink it,'' said Wasfy Shindy, deputy director of the county toxicology bureau, who led the county study. ``If the state has a public health goal and the bottled water exceeds that goal, I think people would have some concern. It's up to the public to decide what they want to do.''

Currently, the federal government allows 100 ppb for total chromium, the state allows 50 ppb for total chromium, and there are no standards set by either the state or federal governments for chromium 6.

With all the uncertainties, the report notes that no conclusions can be made about the safety of bottled water.

County Agricultural Commissioner Cato R. Fiksdal said it's clear the largest problem is the absence of uniform standards.

``We need to encourage the state and federal government to move as quickly as possible to set those standards so we know exactly what is safe and what isn't,'' Fiksdal said.

Tarzana resident Cornelia Hansen said the bottled water report shows the nation is ``run by greed.''

``If they can put one over on people, they will do it,'' she said. ``I'm suspicious of everything I read, eat and drink. One minute they say it's good for you. The next minute they say it's bad for you.''

Northridge resident Robert Ellsworth said he's always trusted city water.

``The only time I drink bottled water is when city water is not available,'' he said.

The report of water in 990 county government facilities found 412, or 42 percent, with levels of chromium 6 higher than 0.2 ppb, the state health goal. The highest levels were found in Lancaster, Arcadia, La Puente, Rosemead and Quartz Hill.

The report found 837 locations, or 84 percent, were contaminated with arsenic at levels of 1 to 36.8 ppb, but none exceeded the current federal and state standard of 50 ppb. However, 10 facilities in Lancaster, Pomona and Hawaiian Gardens contained levels of arsenic exceeding the recently proposed federal standard of 10 ppm.

The report found 390 locations, or 39 percent, with levels of lead ranging from 1 to 9.37 ppb, but none exceeding the current federal and state standard of 50 ppb. County officials believe the lead contamination is due to pipe corrosion.

``I think the bottled water is a little bit better than tap water, but it varies where you live and where you get your water,'' Shindy said.

　　From Healthy.net