Chromium-6 Contamination

Chromium-6 in New Jersey Drinking Water

Ranked by max chromium-6 detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

290

Cities Tested

290

Detected

100%

% Detected

0.67 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

331

Health Violations

Analysis

Chromium-6 in New Jersey: what the data shows

New Jersey has 290 cities with chromium-6 data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) was detected in 290 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL for chromium-6 — California's 10 µg/L limit is used as a reference. The state average max detected level is 0.67 µg/L. Chromium-6 occurs naturally in some groundwater aquifers but also from industrial discharge, particularly from steel processing, chrome plating, and leather tanning. It is distinct from trivalent chromium (Cr III), which is an essential nutrient at low doses. The National Toxicology Program and IARC classify chromium-6 as a carcinogen via inhalation; the evidence for drinking water carcinogenicity is strong but regulatory action at the federal level remains pending as of 2026. Reverse osmosis systems effectively remove chromium-6 to near-undetectable levels.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL (CA: 10 µg/L)

New Jersey

100%

290 of 290 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

4005 of 4005 cities

City Map

Chromium-6 data across New Jersey

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 chromium-6 data. Detected cities are shown; there is no federal MCL — California's 10 µg/L limit is used as a reference. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by chromium-6 level in New Jersey

Highest Chromium-6 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All New Jersey cities ranked by chromium-6 level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Garfield City-0221	3.80 µg/L	Detected	13	B
2	Ridgewood Twp-0251	2.90 µg/L	Detected	12	D+
3	Summit City-2018	2.80 µg/L	Detected	10	C
4	West Deptford Twp.-0820	2.30 µg/L	Detected	2	B
5	Madison Boro-1417	2.30 µg/L	Detected	7	B-
6	Vineland City-0614	1.90 µg/L	Detected	70	F
7	Ramsey Boro-0248	1.80 µg/L	Detected	56	F
8	Little Falls Twp.-1605	1.71 µg/L	Detected	12	B
9	Hillside Twp.-2007	1.71 µg/L	Detected	32	C
10	Hillside Twp.-2007	1.71 µg/L	Detected	32	C
11	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	5	D+
12	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	2	F
13	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	2	D+
14	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	42	F
15	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	1	B
16	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	C-
17	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
18	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
19	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
20	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
21	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
22	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	12	F
23	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
24	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
25	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
26	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
27	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
28	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
29	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
30	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
31	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
32	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
33	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
34	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
35	Summit City-2018	1.71 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
36	East Hanover Twp.-1410	1.60 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
37	Mount Holly Twp.-0323	1.56 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
38	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.52 µg/L	Detected	5	F
39	Deptford Twp.-0802	1.50 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
40	Woodbury City-0822	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
41	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	25	F
42	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
43	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
44	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
45	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
46	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B-
47	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
48	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	C+
49	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
50	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	C+
51	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
52	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
53	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
54	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
55	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
56	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
57	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
58	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
59	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
60	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
61	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
62	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
63	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
64	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
65	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
66	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
67	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
68	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
69	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
70	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
71	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
72	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
73	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
74	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
75	Burlington Twp.-0306	1.28 µg/L	Detected	0	B
76	Parsippany Troy-Hills-1429	1.20 µg/L	Detected	5	F
77	Winslow Twp.-0436	1.20 µg/L	Detected	37	F
78	Glassboro Boro-0806	1.18 µg/L	Detected	16	C
79	Elizabeth City- 2004	1.05 µg/L	Detected	8	C-
80	Elizabeth City- 2004	1.05 µg/L	Detected	6	F
81	Hillside Twp.-2007	1.00 µg/L	Detected	35	F
82	Roxbury Twp.-1436	0.97 µg/L	Detected	8	D+
83	Oakland Boro-0242	0.97 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
84	Sparta Twp.-1918	0.96 µg/L	Detected	11	F
85	Fair Lawn Boro-0217	0.93 µg/L	Detected	8	F
86	Mantua Twp.-0810	0.83 µg/L	Detected	28	F
87	New Hanover Twp.-0325	0.83 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
88	Willingboro Twp.-0338	0.79 µg/L	Detected	1	B
89	Rockaway Twp.-1435	0.74 µg/L	Detected	8	F
90	Clinton Town -1005	0.73 µg/L	Detected	2	D
91	Verona Boro-0720	0.73 µg/L	Detected	5	F
92	Mendham Twp.-1419	0.72 µg/L	Detected	2	D+
93	Mendham Twp.-1419	0.72 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
94	Mendham Twp.-1419	0.72 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
95	Mendham Twp.-1419	0.72 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
96	Randolph Twp.-1432	0.69 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
97	Lawrence Twp.-1107	0.69 µg/L	Detected	37	F
98	Hawthorne Boro-1604	0.62 µg/L	Detected	3	D+
99	Washington Boro-2121	0.62 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
100	Lawrence Twp.-1107	0.59 µg/L	Detected	40	F
101	Lawrence Twp.-1107	0.59 µg/L	Detected	39	F
102	Lawrence Twp.-1107	0.59 µg/L	Detected	35	D
103	Lawrence Twp.-1107	0.59 µg/L	Detected	35	D
104	Oldmans Twp.-1706	0.58 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
105	Oldmans Twp.-1706	0.58 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
106	Oldmans Twp.-1706	0.58 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
107	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	13	B-
108	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	2	B
109	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	8	D+
110	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
111	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B
112	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	22	F
113	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	4	C
114	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	4	C
115	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	4	C
116	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	6	F
117	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	3	C-
118	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	9	C+
119	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
120	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
121	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
122	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
123	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
124	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
125	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
126	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
127	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
128	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
129	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
130	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
131	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
132	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
133	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.53 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
134	Dover Town-1409	0.49 µg/L	Detected	10	C-
135	Woodbridge Twp.-1225	0.48 µg/L	Detected	1	B
136	Franklin Twp.-1808	0.47 µg/L	Detected	16	D+
137	Franklin Twp.-1808	0.47 µg/L	Detected	1	B
138	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.46 µg/L	Detected	4	D
139	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.46 µg/L	Detected	4	D
140	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.46 µg/L	Detected	4	D
141	Camden City-0408	0.46 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
142	Denville Twp.-1408	0.46 µg/L	Detected	4	F
143	Hillsdale Boro-0227	0.46 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
144	Hillsdale Boro-0227	0.46 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
145	Evesham Twp.-0313	0.42 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
146	Orange City-0717	0.41 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
147	Pequannock Twp.-1431	0.40 µg/L	Detected	24	F
148	Pequannock Twp.-1431	0.40 µg/L	Detected	10	C
149	Mahwah Twp-0233	0.37 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
150	Washington Twp.-1438	0.37 µg/L	Detected	22	F
151	Hackettstown Town-2108	0.35 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
152	Berlin Boro-0405	0.33 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
153	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	4	C+
154	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	4	D+
155	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
156	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
157	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
158	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
159	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
160	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
161	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
162	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
163	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
164	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
165	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
166	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
167	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
168	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
169	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
170	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
171	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
172	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
173	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
174	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
175	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
176	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
177	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
178	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
179	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
180	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
181	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
182	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
183	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
184	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
185	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
186	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
187	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
188	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
189	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
190	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
191	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
192	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
193	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
194	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
195	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
196	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
197	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
198	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
199	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
200	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
201	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
202	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
203	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
204	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
205	Guttenberg Town-0903	0.33 µg/L	Detected	2	B-
206	Rahway City-2013	0.33 µg/L	Detected	12	B
207	Boonton Town-1401	0.33 µg/L	Detected	9	F
208	Berkeley Twp.-1505	0.28 µg/L	Detected	2	C+
209	Bridgeton City-0601	0.28 µg/L	Detected	55	D
210	Jackson Twp.-1511	0.27 µg/L	Detected	18	F
211	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	9	C-
212	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	22	F
213	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	4	B-
214	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
215	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
216	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
217	Absecon City-0101	0.26 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
218	Old Bridge Twp.-1209	0.24 µg/L	Detected	14	C+
219	Washington Twp.-0818	0.23 µg/L	Detected	0	F
220	Edison Twp.-1205	0.23 µg/L	Detected	4	B-
221	Phillipsburg Town-2119	0.23 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
222	Ringwood Boro-1611	0.23 µg/L	Detected	19	F
223	East Brunswick Twp.-1204	0.22 µg/L	Detected	17	F
224	Pennsville Twp.-1708	0.20 µg/L	Detected	5	C-
225	Perth Amboy City--1216	0.18 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
226	Sayreville Boro-1219	0.18 µg/L	Detected	2	B
227	Manchester Twp.-1518	0.18 µg/L	Detected	23	F
228	Highland Park Boro-1207	0.18 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
229	Montclair Town-0713	0.17 µg/L	Detected	1	B
230	Seaside Heights Boro-1526	0.17 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
231	Marlboro Twp.-1328	0.16 µg/L	Detected	13	C+
232	Ringwood Boro-1611	0.16 µg/L	Detected	10	D
233	Bordentown Twp.-0304	0.15 µg/L	Detected	17	C
234	Bordentown Twp.-0304	0.15 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
235	Bordentown Twp.-0304	0.15 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
236	North Brunswick Twp.-1215	0.15 µg/L	Detected	17	F
237	Wall Twp.-1352	0.15 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
238	Barnegat Twp.-1533	0.15 µg/L	Detected	5	C+
239	Wall Twp.-1352	0.15 µg/L	Detected	1	B
240	Haledon Boro-1603	0.15 µg/L	Detected	22	C+
241	Freehold Twp.-1316	0.13 µg/L	Detected	17	D+
242	Collingswood Boro-0412	0.13 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
243	Totowa Boro-1612	0.13 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
244	New Brunswick City-1214	0.12 µg/L	Detected	46	D+
245	Long Beach Twp.-1517	0.12 µg/L	Detected	0	F
246	Elmwood Park Boro-0211	0.12 µg/L	Detected	12	B-
247	Spring Lake Boro-1348	0.12 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
248	Montville Twp.-1421	0.12 µg/L	Detected	7	C
249	Manalapan Twp.-1326	0.11 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
250	Hamilton Twp-0112	0.11 µg/L	Detected	4	C
251	Saddle Brook Twp-0257	0.11 µg/L	Detected	13	B-
252	Point P. Beach Boro-1525	0.11 µg/L	Detected	1	B
253	Pompton Lakes Boro-1609	0.11 µg/L	Detected	0	C
254	Barnegat Twp.-1533	0.10 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
255	Jersey City-0906	0.09 µg/L	Detected	5	B
256	Hoboken City-0905	0.09 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
257	East Windsor Twp.-1101	0.09 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
258	Little Egg Harbor-1516	0.09 µg/L	Detected	1	A
259	Stafford Twp.-1530	0.09 µg/L	Detected	3	B
260	Nutley Town-0716	0.09 µg/L	Detected	13	C
261	South River Boro-1223	0.09 µg/L	Detected	7	F
262	Point Pleasant Boro-1524	0.08 µg/L	Detected	2	C-
263	Beachwood Boro-1504	0.08 µg/L	Detected	0	B-
264	Hillside Twp.-2007	0.08 µg/L	Detected	67	F
265	Florence Twp.-0315	0.08 µg/L	Detected	1	B
266	Monroe Twp.-0811	0.08 µg/L	Detected	9	C
267	Cape May City-0502	0.07 µg/L	Detected	9	B
268	Lyndhurst Twp-0232	0.07 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
269	North Arlington Boro-0239	0.07 µg/L	Detected	7	B+
270	Atlantic City-0102	0.06 µg/L	Detected	4	B
271	Lacey Twp.-1512	0.06 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
272	Wildwood City-0514	0.06 µg/L	Detected	6	B-
273	Beach Haven Boro-1503	0.06 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
274	Bayonne City-0901	0.06 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
275	Brigantine City-0103	0.06 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
276	Cedar Grove Twp.-0704	0.06 µg/L	Detected	3	B
277	Galloway Twp-0111	0.06 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
278	Hillside Twp.-2007	0.06 µg/L	Detected	75	F
279	Hillside Twp.-2007	0.06 µg/L	Detected	32	B-
280	West Caldwell Boro-0721	0.06 µg/L	Detected	3	C
281	Harrison Town-0904	0.06 µg/L	Detected	3	B+
282	Kearny Town-0907	0.05 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
283	Millville City-0610	0.04 µg/L	Detected	3	F
284	Ship Bottom Boro-1528	0.04 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
285	Seaside Park Boro-1527	0.04 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
286	Hammonton Town-0113	0.04 µg/L	Detected	38	C+
287	Ocean City-0508	0.04 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
288	Wayne Twp.-1614	0.04 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
289	Gloucester City-0414	0.03 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
290	Longport Boro-0115	0.03 µg/L	Detected	3	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about chromium-6 in New Jersey

Is chromium-6 in New Jersey tap water dangerous?

Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) is a potential human carcinogen. There is currently no federal MCL — California's 10 µg/L limit is the most protective US standard. 290 cities in New Jersey had detectable chromium-6 in UCMR 3 testing (2013–2015). Reverse osmosis is the most effective removal method.

Where does chromium-6 come from in New Jersey water?

Chromium-6 enters water supplies from two main sources: natural weathering of chromium-containing rock formations (especially in the Southwest and parts of the Midwest) and industrial discharge from steel mills, chrome plating, and coal ash sites. Groundwater systems are more commonly affected by natural sources, while surface water systems near industrial areas face pollution-related risks.

How can I filter chromium-6 from my water in New Jersey?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective, removing over 95% of chromium-6. Some high-quality activated alumina or anion exchange filters also provide significant reduction. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters are generally NOT effective against chromium-6. Look for filters certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI 58 (for RO systems).

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