Public Health Goals for N-Nitrosodimethylamine and Cadmium

Dec 22, 2006

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 N-nitrosodimethylamine and cadmium. The first draft of these documents 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 documents. 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 documents as appropriate, and made them 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 documents. These final documents are posted on the OEHHA Web site, along with responses to the major comments received.

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 (916) 324-7572 or the address below.

Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Branch
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
California Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters: 1001 I Street, 12th floor
Sacramento, California 95814

Mailing address: P.O. Box 4010
Sacramento, CA 95812-4010
Attention: Public Health Goals

No comments were received on the draft document for cadmium, so no response to comments have been prepared.