Final Technical Support Document on Public Health Goal for Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency announces the publication of the final technical support document for the Public Health Goal (PHG) for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.  The PHG for hexavalent chromium is established at 0.02 parts per billion (ppb). The health-protective level is based on avoidance of potential carcinogenic effects.

The draft document has gone through a public workshop and scientific and public comment periods. The first public review draft PHG document was released on August 20, 2009. A public workshop on the first PHG draft document was held on October 19, 2009, along with a public comment period that closed on November 2, 2009. An external scientific peer review pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)(3)(D) was requested and conducted. A revised PHG draft document was released for public review on December 31, 2010.

OEHHA has evaluated all the comments received and revised the document as appropriate. The final document is posted on the OEHHA web site along with responses to the major comments received. In developing this PHG, OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code Sections 57003(a) and 116365 for 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 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) 622-3200 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.