Final Public Health Goal for Bromate in Drinking Water

Dec 31, 2009

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 bromate in drinking water. The PHG is established at 0.1 ppb, based on carcinogenic effects. The first draft of the bromate document was posted on the OEHHA Web site on July 24, 2008 and a one-day public workshop was held on September 11, 2008 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. After addressing the comments received, a second draft of the PHG document was posted on the OEHHA Web site on April 24, 2009 for a 30-day public review and scientific comment period. Additional comments were received on the revised draft. OEHHA has now finalized the PHG document after further revisions and is posting the final version and our responses to the major comments.

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 requires OEHHA to develop PHGs based exclusively on public health considerations. PHGs published by OEHHA are considered by the California Department of Public Health 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 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.