Public Health Goals for Lead, Oxamyl and Pentachlorophenol

Apr 24, 2009

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency announces the publication of the final technical support documents for the Public Health Goals (PHGs) for lead, oxamyl and pentachlorophenol in drinking water. The first draft of the oxamyl document was posted on the OEHHA Web site (www.oehha.ca.gov) on May 30, 2008 and a one-day public workshop was held on July 15, 2008 to discuss it. The first drafts of the lead and pentachlorophenol documents were posted on the OEHHA Web site on July 24, 2008 and a one-day public workshop was held on September 11, 2008 to discuss them. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code, sections 57003(a) and 116365, for conducting the workshop and obtaining public input. A second draft of all three PHG documents was posted on the OEHHA Web site on February 6, 2009 for a 30-day public review and scientific comment period. No comments were received on these documents after either posting. OEHHA has now finalized the three documents after minor technical updates.

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.² PHGs 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.

Codified at Health and Safety Code, section 116270 et. seq.

Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)

Health and Safety Code section 116365(a) and (b)