Second Public Comment Period for Draft Public Health Goal for Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) within the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of the revised draft technical support document for a proposed Public Health Goal (PHG) for hexavalent chromium in drinking water. This document decreases the proposed PHG to 0.02 parts per billion, versus 0.06 ppb in the first draft posted in 2009; the change is due to consideration of early-in-life exposures for cancer potency. The draft document is posted on the OEHHA web site at www.oehha.ca.gov. OEHHA is soliciting comments on the draft report during a 30-day comment period. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code Sections 57003(a) and 116365 for receiving public input.
OEHHA will evaluate all the comments received and revise the document as appropriate. Written comments must be received at the OEHHA address below by 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2011 February 15, 2011, to be considered before publication of the final document. The final document will be posted on the OEHHA web site along with responses to the major comments received during the public review and scientific comment periods.
The PHG technical support documents provide information on the health effects of contaminants in drinking water. The PHG is a level of drinking water contaminant at which adverse health effects are not expected to occur from a lifetime of exposure. The California Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 (codified at Health and Safety Code, section 116270 et. seq.), requires OEHHA to develop PHGs based exclusively on public health considerations (Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)). PHGs published by OEHHA are considered by the California Department of Public Health in setting drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs) as required by Health and Safety Code section 116365(a-b).
If you would like to receive further information on this announcement or have questions, please contact our office at (510) 622-3170 or the address below.
Hermelinda Jimenez (Hermelinda.Jimenez@oehha.ca.gov)
Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Branch
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
California Environmental Protection Agency
1515 Clay St., 16th floor
Oakland, California 94612
Attention: PHG Project
[Update] Comment period extended 01/18/11
[Update] Announcement of non-substantive reference change in December 2010 draft PHG for hexavalent chromium 01/25/11
[Update] Public comments on December 2010 draft PHG for hexavalent chromium 03/04/11
[Update] Final technical support document for hexavalent chromium 07/29/11
- Chromium-hexavalent