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Draft PHGS for Methoxychlor and Selenium

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of draft technical support documents for proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) for methoxychlor and selenium in drinking water. The draft document for methoxychlor is an update of the risk assessment for the PHG published in 1999. OEHHA proposes to decrease the PHG for methoxychlor to 0.09 parts per billion (ppb) from the current value of 30 ppb, based on new data on adverse effects of methoxychlor in animal studies. The document for selenium represents a new proposed PHG of 30 ppb, based on data from adverse effects of selenium in a human population. The draft documents are posted on the OEHHA web site (www.oehha.ca.gov). OEHHA is soliciting comments on the draft reports during a 30-day comment period. The Office previously offered a 45-day public comment period and held a public workshop for selenium on May 19, 2010, and for methoxychlor on June 3, 2010.

This 30-day public comment period is the second and final request for public input. Written comments must be received at the OEHHA address below by 5:00 p.m. on August 9, 2010 to be considered during this document revision period. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code Sections 57003(a) and 116365 for conducting the workshop and receiving public input.

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 19961 requires OEHHA to develop PHGs based exclusively on public health considerations.2 PHGs published by OEHHA are considered by the California Department of Public Health in setting drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs).3

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

 

1 Codified at Health and Safety Code, section 116270 et. seq.

2 Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)

3 Health and Safety Code section 116365(a) and (b)

[Update] Methoxychlor finalized 09/16/10

[Update] Selenium finalized 12/10/10