The residents of Kings County, California were concerned because so many were getting sick but none of them knew why. An investigation and subsequent lawsuit determined that the residents were subjected to high levels of hexavalent chromium exposure by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The residents were awarded $333 million dollars and the lawsuit made Erin Brockovich a household name. Health and environmental officials have acknowledged that hexavalent chromium exposure can cause lung cancer in workers who are employed in companies that use the metal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have issued rules limiting the amount of chromium exposure. The EPA monitors the amount of chromium in the water and soil. OSHA limits the amount of chromium a worker can have per an 8-hour workday. The rules apply to hexavalent chromium, since chromium III is an essential element in the human body.