Final Public Health Goal for Chlorite

May 22, 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 chlorite in drinking water. The first draft of the chlorite document was posted on the OEHHA Web site on June 22, 2007 and a one-day public workshop was held on July 17, 2007. OEHHA followed 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 July 4, 2008 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 on the OEHHA Web site below.

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. ²PHGs 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)