Updated Public Health Goals for Chlorobenzene, Endothall, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Silvex, and Trichlorofluoromethane
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of the second draft technical support document for proposed updates of the Public Health Goals (PHGs) for chlorobenzene, endothall, hexachlorocyclopentadiene, silvex, and trichlorofluoromethane in drinking water. This draft document presents updates of these PHGs, originally published in 2003, 1997, 1999, 2003, and 1997, respectively. The updates consider recent toxicological literature and incorporate updated water consumption rates, and when appropriate, benchmark dose modeling, dermal and inhalation routes of exposure, and provisions to account for the most sensitive members of the population.
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
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 57003(a), OEHHA is soliciting comments on the second draft technical document during a 30-day comment period. OEHHA solicited comments on the first draft technical document during a 45-day comment period (November 1 – December 16, 2013) and held a public workshop on December 16, 2013 for receiving public input. No public comments were received.
Written comments must be received at the OEHHA address below by 5:00 p.m. on April 7, 2014 to be considered. Comments may be submitted by email or mail. After any subsequent revisions, the final document will be posted on the OEHHA web site along with responses to the major comments submitted during the public comment period.
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
Oakland, California 94612
Attention: PHG Project
1 Codified at Health and Safety Code, section 116270 et. seq.
2 Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)
3 Health and Safety Code section 116365(a) and (b)