Water

OEHHA performs major risk assessment and hazard evaluation activities relating to chemical contaminants in drinking water. These activities include developing health advisories, Public Health Goals for chemical substances in drinking water, Notification Levels, and providing toxicological assistance for chemical monitoring activities for the drinking water supply. The program also provides education to the public and other governmental agencies on drinking water contamination and drinking water regulatory standards development.

Public Health Goals

Level of a chemical contaminant in drinking water that does not pose a significant risk to health

Notices

Legal notices for Public Health Goals and Notification Levels

Notification Levels

Health-based advisory levels for chemicals in drinking water

Reports

Reports focusing on water

Human Right to Water

OEHHA’s assessment framework and data tool related to drinking water quality, accessibility, and affordability

Reports, Notices, Documents

: 1,4-Dioxane Action Level

An Action Level of 3 parts per billion (ppb) is developed for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water.

Public Health Goals for 27 chemicals have been finalized, and the technical support documents for each chemical is now available.

OEHHA announces a public comment period for 19 draft technical support documents for Public Health Goals (PHGs) for the following chemicals: atrazine; bentazon; cadmium; chromium; 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP); 1,2-dichloroethane; 1,1-dichloroethylene; 1,2-dichloropropane; 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone); endrin; heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide; g -hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane); hexachlorocyclopentadiene; inorganic mercury; methoxychlor; thallium; 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene; trichloroethylene; and toluene.

OEHHA published technical support documents for Public Health Goals (PHGs) for 20 chemicals in drinking water.  These chemicals are: antimony, alachlor, benzo(a)pyrene, chlordane, copper, cyanide, dalapon, DEHP, dinoseb, endothall, ethylbenzene, FC-11, FC-113, fluoride, glyphosate, lead, nitrate and nitrite, oxamyl, pentachlorophenol, picloram, uranium (withdrawn June 29, 1998), xylene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

This table summarizes the Public Health Goals for chemical contaminants in drinking water.