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

The updated PHG for perchlorate is one part-per-billion (1 ppb) based on the inhibition of iodide uptake into the thyroid gland and the consequent disruption of thyroid hormone production.

: Water Chemicals

Entry point for information on chemcials in water.

OEHHA has adopted an updated public health goal (PHG) of 1 part per billion (ppb) for perchlorate in drinking water.  This PHG updates the 2004 perchlorate value of 6 ppb.  Perchlorate is known to block the thyroid’s ability to take in and process iodide, which is a nutrient essential to brain development, growth, heart function, and other systems.

The 2015 public health protective concentration is 3 parts per million (ppm) for the chemical para-chlorobenzene sulfonic acid (pCBSA) in drinking water.

Frequenty Asked Questions about Public Health Goals, and a link to download a copy of this guide.