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Second Public Comment Period for the Proposed Public Health Goals for Cadmium, Glyphosate, N-Nitrosodimethylamine, and Water-Soluble Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Drinking Water

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency previously made available the first draft technical support documents for proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) for these chemicals in drinking water, and invited public comment. The draft document for water-soluble polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) expected to be found in drinking water was posted on the OEHHA Web site on November 5, 2004 and a one-day public workshop was held to discuss the scientific basis of the proposed PHG on December 17, 2004. The draft documents for the three other chemicals were posted on the OEHHA Web site March 3, 2006, and a one-day public workshop was held on April 20, 2006. OEHHA follows the requirements set forth in Health and Safety Code, Sections 57003 and 116365, for conducting the workshops and receiving public input.

Following the workshop and public comment period, OEHHA evaluated all the comments received, and completed revised draft technical support documents proposing PHGs for these chemicals in drinking water. OEHHA will submit the notice for a second comment period to be published in the California Regulatory Notice Register (CRNR) on August 4, 2006. Written comments regarding the revised risk assessment must be received at OEHHA by 5:00 p.m. on September 4, 2006 to be considered. The responses to the significant comments from the public and scientific reviewers will be available on the OEHHA Web site upon publication of the final risk assessments for these chemicals.

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 116361(a), enacted January 2001, requires OEHHA to develop PHGs for these chemicals in drinking water. PHGs published by OEHHA will be considered by the California Department of Health Services as the health basis for the development of the drinking water standard or maximum contaminant level.

If you would like to receive further information on this announcement or have questions, please contact our office at 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: PHG Project