Second Public Comment Period for Draft Public Health Goal for Perchlorate

Dec 6, 2002

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency previously made available the first Draft Technical Support Document for a Proposed Public Health Goal (PHG) for Perchlorate in Drinking Water. This draft document was posted on the OEHHA Web site on March 11, 2002. A one-day public workshop was held on April 29, 2002, to discuss the scientific basis of the proposed PHG. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code, Sections 57003(a) and 116365, for conducting the workshop and receiving public input.

Following the workshop and public comment period, OEHHA evaluated all the comments received, revised the document, and is presently making the revised document available for a 45-day public review and scientific comment period. This second review and comment period is announced and published in the California Regulatory Notice Register and is posted on the OEHHA Web site. The responses to the significant comments from the public and scientific reviewers will be available on the OEHHA Web site upon publication of the final risk assessment for perchlorate.

Oral and written comments received at the workshop were considered during the revision of the draft technical support document. Written comments regarding the revised risk assessment must be received at OEHHA by 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2003, to be considered.

The Public Health Goal (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 (Health and Safety Code Section 116365), amended 1999, requires OEHHA to develop PHGs based exclusively on public health considerations. PHGs published by OEHHA will be considered by the California Department of Health Services in setting drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs).

If you would like to receive further information on this announcement or have questions, please contact our office the address below:

Cal/EPA-OEHHA-PETB
Water Toxicology
P.O. Box 4010
Sacramento, CA 95812-4010
(916) 324-7572