Final Public Health Goal for Selenium

Dec 10, 2010

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 selenium in drinking water. The PHG for selenium is established at 30 parts per billion (ppb) for water-soluble and bioavailable selenium compounds in drinking water. The health-protective level is based on avoidance of several symptoms of chronic selenosis in humans, including increased frequency of thickened and brittle fingernails, garlic odor in the breath, hair loss, skin lesions, and disturbances of the digestive tract.

The Office previously announced a 45-day public comment period on April 2, 2010 and held a public workshop for selenium on May 19, 2010. 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, the document was subsequently posted for a second (30-day) comment period on July 9, 2010. OEHHA has now finalized the PHG document and is posting the final version and our responses to the major comments on the OEHHA web site (www.oehha.ca.gov/water/phg/index.html).

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.