I assume they mean https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexavalent_chromium which indeed is quite toxic, not allowing businesses to operate where their workers could be exposed to carcinogens is very reasonable and not at all petty municipal politics.
There is absolutely no reason to have a cow over this stuff being present in existing paint, unless it is chalking, or being sanded. Not to the extent that everyone has to evacuate immediately and sell their badly needed equipment for below market value.
