1. Home
  2. Water
  3. Second Public Comment Period for Draft Public H...

Second Public Comment Period for Draft Public Health Goals for Benzo(a)Pyrene and Styrene in Drinking Water

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of draft technical support documents for proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) for benzo(a)pyrene and styrene in drinking water. The draft document for benzo(a)pyrene is an update of the risk assessment for the PHG published in 1997. OEHHA proposes to increase the PHG for benzo(a)pyrene to 0.013 parts per billion (ppb) from the current value of 0.004 ppb, based on new and better studies. The document for styrene represents a new proposed PHG of 0.5 ppb. The draft documents are posted on the OEHHA web site (www.oehha.ca.gov). OEHHA is soliciting comments on the draft report during a 30-day comment period. The Office previously offered a 45-day public comment period and held a public workshop for styrene on July 15, 2008, and for benzo(a)pyrene on January 6, 2010.

This 30-day public comment period is the second and final request for public input. Written comments must be received at the OEHHA address below by 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2010 to be considered during this document revision period. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code Sections 57003(a) and 116365 for conducting the workshop and receiving public input.

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) 622-3170 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