1. Home
  2. Water
  3. Second Public Comment Period for Proposed Publi...

Second Public Comment Period for Proposed Public Health Goals for Lead, Oxamyl, Pentachlorophenol, and Trichloroethylene 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 inorganic lead, oxamyl, pentachlorophenol and trichloroethylene in drinking water.  The draft documents on lead (a metal usually derived from pipes and fixtures), oxamyl (a pesticide), pentachlorophenol (a wood preservative), and trichloroethylene (an inorganic solvent) are updates of existing PHGs for these chemicals. The draft documents are posted on the OEHHA Web site (www.oehha.ca.gov). OEHHA is soliciting comments on the draft reports during a 30-day comment period. The Office previously offered a 45-day public comment period and held a public workshop on these chemicals on July 15, 2008 for oxamyl and on September 11, 2008 for the other three. 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 9, 2009 to be considered for the final revision of the documents. 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 (codified as Health and Safety Code, section 116270 et. seq.) requires OEHHA to develop PHGs based exclusively on public health considerations (Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)). PHGs published by OEHHA are considered by the California Department of Public Health in setting drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs) as required by Health and Safety Code section 116365(a-b).

If you would like to receive further information on this announcement or have questions, please contact OEHHA 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
Oakland, California 94612
Attention: PHG Project