Public Health Goal for Glyphosate

Jun 29, 2007

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency announces the publication of the final Public Health Goals (PHGs) for glyphosate, which is an update of the PHG published in 1997. The first draft of this updated document was posted on the OEHHA Web site (www.oehha.ca.gov) on March 3, 2006 and a one-day public workshop was held on April 20, 2006 to discuss the scientific basis and recommendations in the draft technical support document. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code, Sections 57003(a) and 116365, for conducting the workshop and obtaining public input. Following the workshop, OEHHA revised the document as appropriate, and made it available on August 4, 2006 for a 30-day public review and scientific comment period. OEHHA has considered the comments from all interested parties at the workshop and during the public review and scientific comment periods, and finalized the document. The final document and responses to the major comments received are posted 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 (Health and Safety Code Section 116365), amended 1999, requires OEHHA to develop PHGs based exclusively on public health considerations. PHGs published by OEHHA will be considered by the California Department of Health Services 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 the address below.

Cal/EPA-OEHHA-PETB
Water Toxicology
P.O. Box 4010
Sacramento, CA 95812-4010
(916) 324-7572