Final Public Health Goal for 1,2,3-Trichloropropane in Drinking Water

Aug 20, 2009

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) within the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of the final technical support document for the Public Health Goal (PHG) for the solvent 1,2,3-trichloropropane in drinking water. This document establishes a PHG for 1,2,3-trichloropropane of 0.0007 parts per billion, versus the current Notification Level of 0.005 ppb, set in 2005. The PHG is based on an updated cancer potency calculation. The first draft of the revised document was posted on the OEHHA Web site on September 14, 2007 and a one-day public workshop was held on October 9, 2007 to discuss it. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code, Sections 57003(a) and 116365, for conducting the workshop and obtaining public input. A second draft of the PHG document was posted on the OEHHA Web site on February 6, 2009 for a 30-day public review and scientific comment period. OEHHA has now finalized the document after considering all comments received and making changes as needed. The final PHG document and responses to major comments are posted on the OEHHA Web site.

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) 622-3200 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
Attn: PHG project.

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)