United States Office of Water EPA 822-Z-99-001
Environmental Protection 4304 April 1999
Agency
&EPA National Recommended
Water Quality Criteria-
Correction
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SUMMARY: EPA is publishing a compilation of its national recommended water quality criteria
for 157 pollutants, developed pursuant to section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA or the
Act). These recommended criteria provide guidance for States and Tribes in adopting water
quality standards under section 303(c) of the CWA. Such standards are used in implementing a
number of environmental programs, including setting discharge limits in National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. These water quality criteria are not regulations,
and do not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, States, Tribes or the public.
This notice also describes changes in EPA's process for deriving new and revised 304(a)
criteria. Comments provided to the Agency about the content of this Notice will be considered in
future publications of water quality criteria and in carrying out the process for deriving water
quality criteria. With this improved process the public will have more opportunity to provide data
and views for consideration by EPA. The public may send any comments or observations
regarding the compilation format or the process for deriving new or revised water quality criteria
to the Agency now, or anytime while the process is being implemented.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the notice, "National Recommended Water Quality Criteria" is
available from the U.S. EPA, National Center for Environmental Publications and Information,
11029 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242, phone (513) 489-8190. The publication is also
available electronically at: http://www.epa.gov/ost. Send an original and 3 copies of written
comments to W-98-24 Comment Clerk, Water Docket, MC 4104, US EPA, 401 M Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20460. Comments may also be submitted electronically to OW-
Docket@epamail.epa.gov. Comments should be submitted as a WP5.1, 6.1 or an ASCII file with
no form of encryption. The documents cited in the compilation of recommended criteria are
available for inspection from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays,
at the Water Docket, EB57, East Tower Basement, USEPA, 401 M St., S.W., Washington, D.C.,
20460. For access to these materials, please call (202) 260-3027 to schedule an appointment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy A. Roberts, Health and Ecological
Criteria Division (4304), U.S. EPA, 401 M. Street, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20460; (202) 260-2787;
roberts.cindy@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. What are Water Quality Criteria?
Section 304(a)(l) of the Clean Water Act requires EPA to develop and publish, and from
time to time revise, criteria for water quality accurately reflecting the latest scientific knowledge.
Water quality criteria developed under section 304(a) are based solely on data and scientific
judgments on the relationship between pollutant concentrations and environmental and human
health effects. Section 304(a) criteria do not reflect consideration of economic impacts or the
technological feasibility of meeting the chemical concentrations in ambient water. Section 304(a)
criteria provide guidance to States and Tribes in adopting water quality standards that ultimately
provide a basis for controlling discharges or releases of pollutants. The criteria also provide
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guidance to EPA when promulgating federal regulations under section 303(c) when such action is
necessary.
II. What is in the Compilation Published Today?
EPA is today publishing a compilation of its national recommended water quality criteria for 157
pollutants. This compilation is also available in hard copy at the address given above.
The compilation is presented as a summary table containing EPA's water quality criteria
for 147 pollutants, and for an additional 10 pollutants, criteria solely for organoleptic effects. For
each set of criteria, EPA lists a. Federal Register citation, EPA document number or Integrated
Risk Information System (IRIS) entry (www.epa.gov/ngispgm3/iris/irisdat). Specific information
pertinent to the derivation of individual criteria may be found in cited references. If no criteria are
listed for a pollutant, EPA does not have any national recommended water quality criteria.
These water quality criteria are the Agency's current recommended 304(a) criteria,
reflecting the latest scientific knowledge. They are generally applicable to the waters of the
United States. EPA recommends that States and Tribes use these water quality criteria as
guidance in adopting water quality standards pursuant to section 303(c) of the Act and the
implementing federal regulations at 40 CFR 131. Water quality criteria derived to address site-
specific situations are not included; EPA recommends that States and Tribes follow EPA's
technical guidance in the "Water Quality Standards Handbook - 2nd Edition," EPA, August 1994,
in deriving such site-specific criteria. EPA recognizes that in limited circumstances there may be
regulatory voids in the absence of State or Tribal water quality standards for specific pollutants.
However, States and Tribes should utilize the existing State and Tribal narrative criteria to
address such situations; States and Tribes may consult EPA criteria documents and cites in the
summary table for additional information.
The national recommended water quality criteria include: previously published criteria that
are unchanged; criteria that have been recalculated from earlier criteria; and newly calculated
criteria, based on peer-reviewed assessments, methodologies and data, that have not been
previously published.
The information used to calculate the water quality criteria is not included in the summary
table. Most information has been previously published by the Agency in a variety of sources, and
the summary table cites those sources.
When using these 304(a) criteria as guidance in adopting water quality standards, EPA
recommends States and Tribes consult the citations referenced in the summary table for additional
information regarding the derivation of individual criteria.
The Agency intends to revise the compilation of national recommended water quality
criteria from time to time to keep States and Tribes informed as to the most current recommended
water quality criteria.
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III. How Are National Recommended Water Quality Criteria Used?
Once new or revised 304(a) criteria are published by EPA, the Agency expects States and
Tribes to adopt promptly new or revised numeric water quality criteria into their standards
consistent with one of the three options in 40 CFR 131.11. These options are: (1) adopt the
recommended section 304(a) criteria; (2) adopt section 304(a) criteria modified to reflect site-
specific conditions; or, (3) adopt criteria derived using other scientifically defensible methods.
In adopting criteria under option (2) or (3), States and Tribes must adopt water quality criteria
sufficient to protect the designated uses of their waters. When establishing a numerical value
based on 304(a) criteria, States and Tribes may reflect site specific conditions or use other
scientifically defensible methods. However, States and Tribes should not selectively apply data or
selectively use endpoints, species, risk levels, or exposure parameters in deriving criteria; this
would not accurately characterize risk and would not result in criteria protective of designated
uses.
EPA emphasizes that, in the course of carrying out its responsibilities under section
303(c), it reviews State and Tribal water quality standards to assess the need for new or revised
water quality criteria. EPA generally believes that five years from the date of EPA's publication
of new or revised water quality criteria is a reasonable time by which States and Tribes should
take action to adopt new or revised water quality criteria necessary to protect the designated uses
of their waters. This period is intended to accommodate those States and Tribes that have begun
a triennial review and wish to complete the actions they have underway, deferring initiating
adoption of new or revised section 304(a) criteria until the next triennial review.
IV. What is the Status of Existing Criteria While They Are Under Revision?
The question of the status of the existing section 304(a) criteria often arises when EPA
announces that it is beginning a reassessment of existing criteria. The general answer is that water
quality criteria published by EPA remain the Agency's recommended water quality criteria until
EPA revises or withdraws the criteria. For example, while undertaking recent reassessments of
dioxin, PCBs, and other chemicals, EPA has consistently upheld the use of the current section
304(a) criteria for these chemicals and considers them to be scientifically sound until new, peer
reviewed, scientific assessments indicate changes are needed. Therefore, the criteria in today's
notice are and will continue to be the Agency's national recommended water quality criteria for
States and Tribes to use in adopting or revising their water quality standards until superseded by
the publication of revised criteria, or withdrawn by notice in the Federal Register.
V. What is the Process for Developing New or Revised Criteria?
Section 304(a)(l) of the CWA requires the Agency to develop and publish, and from time
to time revise, criteria for water quality accurately reflecting the latest scientific knowledge. The
Agency has developed an improved process that it intends to use when deriving new criteria or
conducting a major reassessment of existing criteria. The purpose of the improved process is to
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provide expanded opportunities for public input, and to make the process more efficient.
When deriving new criteria, or when initiating a major reassessment of existing criteria,
EPA will take the following steps.
1. EPA will first undertake a comprehensive review of available data and information.
2. EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register and on the Internet announcing its
assessment or reassessment of the pollutant. The notice will describe the data available to the
Agency, and will solicit any additional pertinent data or views that may be useful in deriving new
or revised criteria. EPA is especially interested in hearing from the public regarding new data or
information that was unavailable to the Agency, and scientific views as to the application of the
relevant Agency methodology for deriving water quality criteria.
3. After public input is received and evaluated, EPA will then utilize information obtained
from both the Agency's literature review and the public to develop draft recommended water
quality criteria.
4. EPA will initiate a peer review of the draft criteria. Agency peer review consists of a
documented critical review by qualified independent experts. Information about EPA peer review
practices may be found in the Science Policy Council's Peer Review Handbook (EPA 100-B-98-
001, www.epa.gov).
5. Concurrent with the peer review in step four, EPA will publish a notice in the Federal
Register and on the Internet, of the availability of the draft water quality criteria and solicit views
from the public on issues of science pertaining to the information used in deriving the draft
criteria. The Agency believes it is important to provide the public with the opportunity to provide
scientific views on the draft criteria even though we are not required to invite and respond to
written comments.
6. EPA will evaluate the results of the peer review, and prepare a response document for
the record in accordance with EPA's Peer Review Handbook. EPA at the same time will consider
views provided by the public on issues of science. Major scientific issues will be addressed in the
record whether from the peer review or the public.
7. EPA will then revise the draft criteria as necessary, and announce the availability of the
final water quality criteria in the Federal Register and on the Internet.
VI. What is the Process for Minor Revisions to Criteria?
In addition to developing new criteria, and conducting major reassessments of existing
criteria, EPA also from time to time recalculates criteria based on new information pertaining to
individual components of the criteria. For example, in today's notice, EPA has recalculated a
number of criteria based on new, peer-reviewed data contained in EPA's IRIS. Because such
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recalculations normally result in only minor changes to the criteria, do not ordinarily involve a
change in the underlying scientific methodologies, and reflect peer-reviewed data, EPA will
typically publish such recalculated criteria directly as the Agency's recommended water quality
criteria. If it appears that a recalculation results in a significant change EPA will follow the
process of peer review and public input outlined above. Further, when EPA recalculates national
water quality criteria in the course of proposing or promulgating state-specific federal water
quality standards pursuant to section 303(c), EPA will offer an opportunity for national public
input on the recalculated criteria.
VII. How Does the Process Outlined Above Improve Public Input and Efficiency?
In the past, EPA developed draft criteria documents and announced their availability for
public comment in the Federal Register. This led to new data and views coming to EPA's
attention after draft criteria had already been developed. Responding to new data would
sometimes lead to extensive revisions.
The steps outlined above improve the criteria development process in the following ways.
1. The new process is Internet-based which is in line with EPA policy for public access
and dissemination of information gathered by EPA. Use of the Internet will allow the public to be
more engaged in the criteria development process than previously and to more knowledgeably
follow criteria development. For new criteria or major revisions, EPA will announce its intentions
to derive the new or revised criteria on the Internet and include a list of the available literature.
This will give the public an opportunity to provide additional data that might not otherwise be
identified by the Agency.
2. The public now has two opportunities to contribute data and views, before
development and during development, instead of a single opportunity after development.
3. EPA has instituted broader and more formal peer review procedures. This independent
scientific review is a more rigorous disciplinary practice to ensure technical improvements in
Agency decision making. Previously, EPA used the public comment process outlined above to
obtain peer review. The new process allows for both public input and a formal peer review,
resulting in a more thorough and complete evaluation of the criteria.
4. Announcing the availability of the draft water quality criteria on the Internet will give
the public an opportunity to provide input on issues of science in a more timely manner.
VIII. Where Can I Find More Information About Water Quality Criteria and
Water Quality Standards?
For more information about water quality criteria and Water Quality Standards refer to the
following: Water Quality Standards Handbook (EPA. 823-B94-005a); Advanced Notice of
Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM), (63FR36742); Water Quality Criteria and Standards Plan -
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Priorities for the Future (EPA 822-R-98-003); Guidelines and Methodologies Used in the
Preparation of Health Effects Assessment Chapters of the Consent Decree Water Criteria
Documents (45FR79347); Draft Water Quality Criteria Methodology Revisions: Human Health
(63FR43755, EPA 822-Z-98-001); and Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water
Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses (EPA 822/R-85-100);
National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria (EPA 822-R-98-002).
These publications may also be accessed through EPA's National Center for
Environmental Publications and Information (NCEPI) or on the Office of Science and
Technology's Home-page (www.epa.gov/OST).
IX. What Are the National Recommended Water Quality Criteria?
The following compilation and its associated footnotes and notes presents the national
recommended water quality criteria.
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY TOXIC POLLUTANTS
1
2
3
4
5a
5b
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Priority Pollutant
Antimony
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium III
Chromium VI
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
Silver
Thallium
Zinc
CAS
Number
7440360
7440382
7440417
7440439
16065831
18540299
7440508
7439921
7439976
7440020
7782492
7440224
7440280
7440666
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cug/L)
340 A.D.K 150 A.D.K
4.3 D.E.K 2.2 D,E,K
570 D,E,K 74 D,E,K
16 D,K HD,K
13 D,E,K,cc 9.0 D,E,K,cc
65 D,E,bb,gg 2.5 D,E,bb,gg
1.4D,K,hh 0.77 D,K,hh
470 D,E,K 52 D,E,K
L.R.T 50 T
3.4D.E.G
120 D,E,K 120 D,E,K
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
69 A,D,bb 36 A,D,bb
42o,bb 9.3 o.bb
l,100o,bb 50o,bb
4.8D,cc,ff 3.1 D.cc.ff
210D,bb S.lD.bb
1.8D,ee,hh 0.94 D.ee.hh
74D,bb 8.2D,bb
290 D.bb.dd 71 D.bb.dd
1.9 D,G
90 D.bb 81 D,bb
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Gug/L) Cug/L)
14B.Z
0.018 QMS
J,Z
J,Z
J,Z Total
J, Z Total
1,300 u
j
0.050 B
610 B
170 z
1.7 B
9,100 u
4300 B
0.14 QMS
j
j
j
j
j
0.051 B
4,600 B
11,000
6.3 B
69,000 u
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14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Priority Pollutant
Cyanide
Asbestos
2,3,7,8-TCDD Dioxin
Acrolein
Acrylonitrile
Benzene
Bromoform
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorobenzene
Chlorodibromomethane
Chloroethane
2-Chloroethylvinyl Ether
Chloroform
Dichlorobromomethane
1 , 1 -Dichloroethane
1 ,2-Dichloroethane
1 , 1 -Dichloroethy lene
CAS
Number
57125
1332214
1746016
107028
107131
71432
75252
56235
108907
124481
75003
110758
67663
75274
75343
107062
75354
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Gug/L) Gug/L)
22 K,Q 5.2 K,Q
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
1 Q,bb 1 Q,bb
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Cug/L) Gug/L)
700 B,Z
220,000 B,H
7 million
fibers/L i
1.3E-8c
320
0.059 B,C
1.2B.C
4.3 B,C
0.25 B,C
680 B,Z
0.41 B,C
5.7 B,C
0.56B.C
0.38 B,C
0.057 B,C
1.4E-8C
780
0.66 B,C
71B.C
360 B,C
4.4 B,C
21,000B,H
34B,c
470 B,C
46B,c
99B,c
3.2 B,C
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31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Priority Pollutant
1 ,2-Dichloropropane
1 ,3 -Dichloropropene
Ethylbenzene
Methyl Bromide
Methyl Chloride
Methylene Chloride
1 , 1 ,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene
1 ,2-Trans-Dichloroethylene
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
1 , 1 ,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl Chloride
2-Chlorophenol
2,4-Dichlorophenol
2,4-Dimethylphenol
2-Methyl-4,6-Dinitrophenol
2,4-Dinitrophenol
2-Nitrophenol
4-Nitrophenol
3 -Methyl-4-Chlorophenol
CAS
Number
78875
542756
100414
74839
74873
75092
79345
127184
108883
156605
71556
79005
79016
75014
95578
120832
105679
534521
51285
88755
100027
59507
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Gug/L) Gug/L)
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Cug/L) Cug/L)
0.52 B,C
10 B
3,100B,z
48 B
j
4.7 B,C
0.17B.C
0.8 c
6,800 B,Z
700 B,Z
J,Z
0.60 B,C
2.7 c
2.0 c
120 B,U
93B,u
540 B,U
13.4
70 B
u
39B,c
1,700 B
29,000 B
4000 B
j
1600 B,C
llB.C
8.85 c
200,000 B
140,000 B
j
42B,c
81 c
525 c
400 B,U
790 B,U
2,300 B,U
765
14,000 B
u
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53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
Priority Pollutant
Pentachlorophenol
Phenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Acenaphthene
Acenaphthylene
Anthracene
Benzidine
BenzoaAnthracene
BenzoaPyrene
BenzobFluoranthene
BenzoghiPerylene
BenzokFluoranthene
Bis2-ChloroethoxyMethane
Bis2-ChloroethylEther
Bis2-ChloroisopropylEther
Bis2-EthylhexylPhthalatex
4-Bromophenyl Phenyl
Ether
Butylbenzyl Phthalatew
2-Chloronaphthalene
CAS
Number
87865
108952
88062
83329
208968
120127
92875
56553
50328
205992
191242
207089
111911
111444
39638329
117817
101553
85687
91587
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Gug/L) Gug/L)
19F.K 15F.K
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
13 bb 7.9 bb
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Cug/L) Cug/L)
0.28 B,C 8.2B,c,H
21,OOOB,u
4,600,000 B,H,U
2.lB,C,U 6.5B.C
1,200 B.U 2,700 B,U
9,600 B 1 10,000 B
0.00012 B,C 0.00054 B,C
0.0044 B,C 0.049 B,C
0.0044 B,C 0.049 B,C
0.0044 B,C 0.049 B,C
0.0044 B,C 0.049 B,C
0.03lB,c 1.4B,c
1,400B
170,000 B
1.8B.C 5.9B,c
3,000 B 5,200 B
1,700 B 4,300 B
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72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
Priority Pollutant
4-Chlorophenyl Phenyl
Ether
Chrysene
Dibenzoa,hAnthracene
1 ,2-Dichlorobenzene
1 ,3 -Dichlorobenzene
1 ,4-Dichlorobenzene
3 ,3 '-Dichlorobenzidine
Diethyl Phthalatew
Dimethyl Phthalatew
Di-n-Butyl Phthalatew
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
2,6-Dinitrotoluene
Di-n-Octyl Phthalate
1 ,2-Diphenylhydrazine
Fluoranthene
Fluorene
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Hexachloroethane
CAS
Number
7005723
218019
53703
95501
541731
106467
91941
84662
131113
84742
121142
606202
117840
122667
206440
86737
118741
87683
77474
67721
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Gug/L) Gug/L)
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Cug/L) Cug/L)
0.0044 B,C
0.0044 B,C
2,700 B,Z
400
400 z
0.04 B,C
23,000 B
313,000
2,700 B
O.llc
0.040 B,C
300 B
1,300 B
0.00075 B,C
0.44 B,C
240B,u,z
1.9 B,C
0.049 B,C
0.049 B,C
17,000 B
2,600
2600
0.077 B,C
120,000 B
2,900,000
12,000 B
9.1c
0.54 B,C
370 B
14,000 B
0.00077 B,C
50B,c
17,000 B.H.U
8.9B,c
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92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
Priority Pollutant
Ideno 1 ,2, 3 -cdPy rene
Isophorone
Naphthalene
Nitrobenzene
N-Nitrosodimethylamine
N-Nitrosodi-n-Propylamine
N-Nitrosodiphenylamine
Phenanthrene
Pyrene
1 ,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Aldrin
alpha-BHC
beta-BHC
gamma-BHC (Lindane)
delta-BHC
Chlordane
4,4'-DDT
4,4'-DDE
4,4'-DDD
CAS
Number
193395
78591
91203
98953
62759
621647
86306
85018
129000
120821
309002
319846
319857
58899
319868
57749
50293
72559
72548
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Gug/L) Gug/L)
3.0 G
0.95 K
2.4 G 0.0043 G.aa
1.1 G 0.001 G,aa
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
1.3 G
0.16 G
0.09 G 0.004 G.aa
0.13G 0.001 G,aa
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Cug/L) Cug/L)
0.0044 B,C 0.049 B,C
36 B,C 2,600 B,C
17 B 1,900 B.H.U
0.00069 B,C S.lB.c
0.005 B,C 1.4 B,C
5.0 B,C 16 B,C
960 B 1 1,000 B
260 z 940
0.00013 B,C 0.00014 B,C
0.0039B.C 0.013 B,C
0.014 B,C 0.046 B,C
0.019 c 0.063 c
0.0021 B,C 0.0022 B,C
0.00059 B,C 0.00059 B,C
0.00059 B,C 0.00059 B,C
0.00083 B,C 0.00084 B,C
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11/01/97
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62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
IRIS02/07/98
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
12
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Ill
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
Priority Pollutant
Dieldrin
alpha-Endosulfan
beta-Endosulfan
Endosulfan Sulfate
Endrin
Endrin Aldehyde
Heptachlor
Heptachlor Epoxide
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs:
Toxaphene
CAS
Number
60571
959988
33213659
1031078
72208
7421934
76448
1024573
8001352
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Gug/L) Cwg/L)
0.24 K
0.22 G,Y
0.22 G,Y
0.086 K
0.52 G
0.52 G,V
0.73
0.056 K,O
0.056 G,Y
0.056 G,Y
0.036 K,O
0.0038 G.aa
0.0038 G.V.aa
0.014N,aa
0.0002 aa
Saltwater
CMC CCC
Cug/L) Cwg/L)
0.71 G
0.034 G,Y
0.034 G,Y
0.037 G
0.053 G
0.053 G,V
0.21
0.0019 G,aa
0.0087 G,Y
0.0087 G,Y
0.0023 G,aa
0.0036 G.aa
0.0036G,V,aa
0.03 N.aa
0.0002 aa
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Only
Cug/L) Gug/L)
0.00014 B,C
HOB
HOB
HOB
0.76 B
0.76 B
0.00021 B,C
0.00010 B,C
0.00017 B,C,P
0.00073 B,C
0.00014 B,C
240 B
240 B
240 B
0.81 B,H
0.81 B,H
0.00021 B,C
0.0001 IB.C
0.00017 B,C,P
0.00075 B,C
FR Cite/
Source
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
62FR42160
63FR16182
62FR42160
Footnotes:
A This recommended water quality criterion was derived from data for arsenic (III), but is applied here to total arsenic, which might imply that arsenic (III) and
arsenic (V) are equally toxic to aquatic life and that their toxicities are additive. In the arsenic criteria document (EPA 440/5-84-033, January 1985), Species
Mean Acute Values are given for both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) for five species and the ratios of the SMAVs for each species range from 0.6 to 1.7. Chronic
values are available for both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) for one species; for the fathead minnow, the chronic value for arsenic (V) is 0.29 times the chronic value
for arsenic (III). No data are known to be available concerning whether the toxicities of the forms of arsenic to aquatic organisms are additive.
B This criterion has been revised to reflect The Environmental Protection Agency's ql* or RfD, as contained in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as of
April 8, 1998. The fish tissue bioconcentration factor (BCF) from the 1980 Ambient Water Quality Criteria document was retained in each case.
C This criterion is based on carcinogenicity of 10"6 risk. Alternate risk levels may be obtained by moving the decimal point (e.g., for a risk level of 10"5, move
the decimal point in the recommended criterion one place to the right).
D Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expressed in terms of the dissolved metal in the water column. The recommended water quality criteria
value was calculated by using the previous 304(a) aquatic life criteria expressed in terms of total recoverable metal, and multiplying it by a conversion factor
(CF). The term "Conversion Factor" (CF) represents the recommended conversion factor for converting a metal criterion expressed as the total recoverable
fraction in the water column to a criterion expressed as the dissolved fraction in the water column. (Conversion Factors for saltwater CCCs are not currently
available. Conversion factors derived for saltwater CMCs have been used for both saltwater CMCs and CCCs). See "Office of Water Policy and Technical
13
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Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria," October 1, 1993, by Martha G. Prothro, Acting Assistant Administrator for
Water, available from the Water Resource center, USEPA, 401 M St., SW, mail code RC4100, Washington, DC 20460; and 40CFR§131.36(b)(l). Conversion
Factors applied in the table can be found in Appendix A to the Preamble- Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals.
E The freshwater criterion for this metal is expressed as a function of hardness (mg/L) in the water column. The value given here corresponds to a hardness of
100 mg/L. Criteria values for other hardness may be calculated from the following: CMC (dissolved) = exp{mA [ln( hardness)]+ bA} (CF), or CCC (dissolved) =
explrric [In (hardness)]+ bc} (CF) and the parameters specified in Appendix B to the Preamble- Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria
That Are Hardness-Dependent.
F Freshwater aquatic life values for pentachlorophenol are expressed as a function of pH, and are calculated as follows: CMC = exp(1.005(pH)-4.869);
CCC = exp(1.005(pH)-5.134). Values displayed in table correspond to a pH of 7.8.
G This Criterion is based on 304(a) aquatic life criterion issued in 1980, and was issued in one of the following documents: Aldrin/Dieldrin (EPA 440/5-80-019),
Chlordane (EPA 440/5-80-027), DDT (EPA 440/5-80-038), Endosulfan (EPA 440/5-80-046), Endrin (EPA 440/5-80-047), Heptachlor (440/5-80-052),
Hexachlorocyclohexane (EPA 440/5-80-054), Silver (EPA 440/5-80-071). The Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures were different in the 1980
Guidelines than in the 1985 Guidelines. For example, a "CMC" derived using the 1980 Guidelines was derived to be used as an instantaneous maximum. If
assessment is to be done using an averaging period, the values given should be divided by 2 to obtain a value that is more comparable to a CMC derived using the
1985 Guidelines.
H No criterion for protection of human health from consumption of aquatic organisms excluding water was presented in the 1980 criteria document or in the 1986
Quality Criteria for Water. Nevertheless, sufficient information was presented in the 1980 document to allow the calculation of a criterion, even though the results
of such a calculation were not shown in the document.
I This criterion for asbestos is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) developed under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
J EPA has not calculated human health criterion for this contaminant. However, permit authorities should address this contaminant in NPDES permit actions using
the State's existing narrative criteria for toxics.
K This recommended criterion is based on a 304(a) aquatic life criterion that was issued in the 1995 Updates: Water Quality Criteria Documents for the Protection
of Aquatic Life in Ambient Water, (EPA-820-B-96-001, September 1996). This value was derived using the GLI Guidelines (60FR15393-15399, March 23, 1995;
40CFR132 Appendix A); the difference between the 1985 Guidelines and the GLI Guidelines are explained on page ivof the 1995 Updates. None of the decisions
concerning the derivation of this criterion were affected by any considerations that are specific to the Great Lakes.
L The CMC = l/[(f I/CMC 1) + (f2/CMC2)] where fl and f2 are the fractions of total selenium that are treated as selenite and selenate, respectively, and CMC1 and
CMC2 are 185.9 /^g/1 and 12.83 ^g/1, respectively.
M EPA is currently reassessing the criteria for arsenic. Upon completion of the reassessment the Agency will publish revised criteria as appropriate.
N PCBs are aclass of chemicals which include aroclors, 1242, 1254, 1221, 1232, 1248, 1260, and 1016, CAS numbers 53469219, 11097691, 11104282, 11141165,
12672296, 11096825 and 12674112 respectively. The aquatic life criteria apply to this set of PCBs.
O The derivation of the CCC for this pollutant did not consider exposure through the diet, which is probably important for aquatic life occupying upper trophic
levels.
P This criterion applies to total pcbs, i.e., the sum of all congener or all isomer analyses.
Q This recommended water quality criterion is expressed as /j,g free cyanide (as CN)/L.
R This value was announced (61FR58444-58449, November 14, 1996) as a proposed GLI 303(c) aquatic life criterion. EPA is currently working on this criterion
and so this value might change substantially in the near future.
S This recommended water quality criterion refers to the inorganic form only.
T This recommended water quality criterion is expressed in terms of total recoverable metal in the water column. It is scientifically acceptable to use the conversion
factor of 0.922 that was used in the GLI to convert this to a value that is expressed in terms of dissolved metal.
U The organoleptic effect criterion is more stringent than the value for priority toxic pollutants.
14
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V This value was derived from data for heptachlor and the criteria document provides insufficient data to estimate the relative toxicities of heptachlor and heptachlor
epoxide.
W Although EPA has not published a final criteria document for this compound it is EPA's understanding that sufficient data exist to allow calculation of aquatic
criteria. It is anticipated that industry intends to publish in the peer reviewed literature draft aquatic life criteria generated in accordance with EPA Guidelines.
EPA will review such criteria for possible issuance as national WQC.
X There is a full set of aquatic life toxicity data that show that DEHP is not toxic to aquatic organisms at or below its solubility limit.
Y This value was derived from data for endosulfan and is most appropriately applied to the sum of arpha-endosulfan and beta-endosulfan.
Z A more stringent MCL has been issued by EPA. Refer to drinking water regulations (40 CFR 141) or Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) for values.
aa This CCC is based on the Final Residue Value procedure in the 1985 Guidelines. Since the publication of the Great Lakes Aquatic Life Criteria Guidelines in
1995 (60FR15393-15399, March 23, 1995), the Agency no longer uses the Final Residue Value procedure for deriving CCCs for new or revised 304(a) aquatic life
criteria.
bb This water quality criterion is based on a 304(a) aquatic life criterion that was derived using the 1985 Guidelines (Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National
Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses, PB85-227049, January 1985) and was issued in one of the following criteria
documents: Arsenic (EPA 440/5-84-033), Cadmium (EPA 440/5-84-032), Chromium (EPA 440/5-84-029), Copper (EPA 440/5-84-031), Cyanide (EPA 440/5-
84-028), Lead (EPA 440/5-84-027), Nickel (EPA 440/5-86-004), Pentachlorophenol (EPA 440/5-86-009), Toxaphene, (EPA 440/5-86-006), Zinc (EPA
440/5-87- 003).
cc When the concentration of dissolved organic carbon is elevated, copper is substantially less toxic and use of Water-Effect Ratios might be appropriate.
dd The selenium criteria document (EPA 440/5-87-006, September 1987) provides that if selenium is as toxic to saltwater fishes in the field as it is to freshwater
fishes in the field, the status of the fish community should be monitored whenever the concentration of selenium exceeds 5.0 /j,g/L in salt water because the
saltwater CCC does not take into account uptake via the food chain.
ee This recommended water quality criterion was derived on page 43 of the mercury criteria document (EPA 440/5-84-026, January 1985). The saltwater CCC of
0.025 ug/L given on page 23 of the criteria document is based on the Final Residue Value procedure in the 1985 Guidelines. Since the publication of the Great
Lakes Aquatic Life Criteria Guidelines in 1995 (60FR15393-15399, March 23, 1995), the Agency no longer uses the Final Residue Value procedure for deriving
CCCs for new or revised 304(a) aquatic life criteria.
ff This recommended water quality criterion was derived mAmbient Water Quality Criteria Saltwater Copper Addendum (Draft, April 14, 1995) and was
promulgated in the Interim final National Toxics Rule (60FR22228-222237, May 4, 1995).
gg EPA is actively working on this criterion and so this recommended water quality criterion may change substantially in the near future.
hh This recommended water quality criterion was derived from data for inorganic mercury (II), but is applied here to total mercury. If a substantial portion of the
mercury in the water column is methylmercury, this criterion will probably be under protective. In addition, even though inorganic mercury is converted to
methylmercury and methylmercury bioaccumulates to a great extent, this criterion does not account for uptake via the food chain because sufficient data were not
available when the criterion was derived.
15
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Non Priority Pollutant
Alkalinity
Aluminum pH 6.5 - 9.0
Ammonia
Aesthetic Qualities
Bacteria
Barium
Boron
Chloride
Chlorine
Chlorophenoxy Herbicide
2,4,5,-TP
Chlorophenoxy Herbicide
2,4-D
Chloropyrifos
Color
Demeton
Ether, Bis Chloromethyl
Gases, Total Dissolved
Guthion
Hardness
CAS
Number
-
7429905
7664417
-
-
7440393
-
16887006
7782505
93721
94757
2921882
-
8065483
542881
-
86500
Freshwater Saltwater Human Health
For Consumption of:
CMC CCC CMC CCC Water + Organism
Gug/L) Cwg/L) Cwg/L) Cwg/L) Organism (^g/L) Only Cug/L)
20000 F
750 G,I 87 G.I.L
FRESHWATER CRITERIA ARE pH DEPENDENT - SEE DOCUMENT D
SALTWATER CRITERIA ARE pH AND TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
FOR PRIMARY RECREATION AND SHELLFISH USES - SEE DOCUMENT
NARR^
860000 G 230000 G
19 11
0.083 G 0.041 G
NARRA
0.1 F
NARRA1
0.01 F
VLTVE STATEMENT- SEE
13 7.5
0.01 IG 0.0056 G
FIVE STATEMENT- SEE E
0.1 F
TVE STATEMENT - SEE ]
0.01 F
1,000 A
DOCUMENT
c
10 A
100 A,C
)OCUMENT F
0.00013 E 0.00078 E
DOCUMENT F
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
FR
Cite/Source
Gold Book
53FR33178
EPA822-R-98-008
EPA440/5-88-004
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
53FR19028
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
IRIS 01/01/91
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
16
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19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Non Priority Pollutant
Hexachlorocyclo-hexane-
Technical
Iron
Malathion
Manganese
Methoxychlor
Mirex
Nitrates
Nitrosamines
Dinitrophenols
Nitrosodibutylamine,N
Nitrosodiethylamine,N
Nitrosopyrrolidine,N
Oil and Grease
Oxygen, Dissolved
Parathion
Pentachlorobenzene
pH
Phosphorus Elemental
Phosphate Phosphorus
CAS
Number
319868
7439896
121755
7439965
72435
2385855
14797558
-
25550587
924163
55185
930552
-
7782447
56382
608935
-
7723140
-
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Cwg/L) Gug/L)
1000 F
0.1 F
0.03 F
0.001 F
Saltwater
CMC CCC
(Mg/L) (Mg/L)
0.1 F
0.03 F
0.001 F
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Cwg/L) Only Og/L)
0.0123 0.0414
300 A
50 A 100 A
100 A,C
10,000 A
0.0008 1.24
70 14,000
0.0064 A 0.587 A
0.0008 A 1.24 A
0.016 91.9
NARRATIVE STATEMENT -SEE DOCUMENT F
WARMWATER AND COLD WATER MATRIX - SEE DOCUMENT o
0.065 j 0.013 j
3.5s 4.1 E
6.5 -9F 6.5-8.5F.K 5-9
0.1 F,K
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
FR
Cite/Source
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
IRIS 03/01/88
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
17
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CAS
Non Priority Pollutant Number
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Solids Dissolved and
Salinity
Solids Suspended and
Turbidity
Sulfide-Hydrogen Sulfide 7783064
Tainting Substances
Temperature
Tetrachlorobenzene, 1,2,4, 95943
5-
Tributyltin TBT
Trichlorophenol,2,4,5- 95954
Freshwater
CMC CCC
Cwg/L) Gug/L)
Saltwater
CMC CCC
(Mg/L) (Mg/L)
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Water + Organism
Organism Cwg/L) Only C"g/L)
250,000 A
NARRATIVE STATEMENT -SEE DOCUMENT F
2.0 F ! 2.0 F !
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
SPECIES DEPENDENT CRITERIA -SEE DOCUMENT M
2.3 E 2.9 E
0.46 N 0.063 N 0.37 N 0.010 N
2,600 B,E 9800 B,E
FR
Cite/Source
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
IRIS03/01/91
62FR42554
IRIS 03/01/88
Footnotes:
A This human health criterion is the same as originally published in the Red Book which predates the 1980 methodology and did not utilize the fish ingestion BCF
approach. This same criterion value is now published in the Gold Book.
B The organoleptic effect criterion is more stringent than the value presented in the non priority pollutants table.
C A more stringent Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) has been issued by EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Refer to drinking water regulations
40CFR141 or Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) forvalues.
D According to the procedures described in the Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and
Their Uses, except possibly where a very sensitive species is important at a site, freshwater aquatic life should be protected if both conditions specified in
Appendix C to the Preamble- Calculation of Freshwater Ammonia Criterion are satisfied.
E This criterion has been revised to reflect The Environmental Protection Agency's ql* or RfD, as contained in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as of
April 8, 1998. The fish tissue bioconcentration factor (BCF) used to derive the original criterion was retained in each case.
F The derivation of this value is presented in the Red Book (EPA 440/9-76-023, July, 1976).
G This value is based on a 304(a) aquatic life criterion that was derived using the 1985 Guidelines (Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality
Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses, PB85-227049, January 1985) and was issued in one of the following criteria documents:
Aluminum (EPA 440/5-86-008); Chloride (EPA 440/5-88-001); Chloropyrifos (EPA 440/5-86-005).
I This value is expressed in terms of total recoverable metal in the water column.
J This value is based on a 304(a) aquatic life criterion that was issued in the 1995 Updates: Water Quality Criteria Documents for the Protection of Aquatic Life in
Ambient Water (EPA-820-B-96-001). This value was derived using the GLI Guidelines (60FR15393-15399, March 23, 1995; 40CFR132 Appendix A); the
differences between the 1985 Guidelines and the GLI Guidelines are explained on page iv of the 1995 Updates. No decision concerning this criterion was affected
by any considerations that are specific to the Great Lakes.
18
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K According to page 181 of the Red Book:
For open ocean waters where the depth is substantially greater than the euphotic zone, the pH should not be changed more than 0.2 units from the naturally
occurring variation or any case outside the range of 6.5 to 8.5. For shallow, highly productive coastal and estuarine areas where naturally occurring pH
variations approach the lethal limits of some species, changes in pH should be avoided but in any case should not exceed the limits established for fresh
water, i.e., 6.5-9.0.
L There are three major reasons why the use of Water-Effect Ratios might be appropriate. (1) The value of 87 ^g/1 is based on a toxicity test with the striped bass in
water with pH= 6.5-6.6 and hardness <10 mg/L. Data in "Aluminum Water-Effect Ratio for the 3M Plant Effluent Discharge, Middleway, West Virginia" (May
1994) indicate that aluminum is substantially less toxic at higher pH and hardness, but the effects of pH and hardness are not well quantified at this time. (2) In
tests with the brook trout at low pH and hardness, effects increased with increasing concentrations of total aluminum even though the concentration of dissolved
aluminum was constant, indicating that total recoverable is a more appropriate measurement than dissolved, at least when paniculate aluminum is primarily
aluminum hydroxide particles. In surface waters, however, the total recoverable procedure might measure aluminum associated with clay particles, which might
be less toxic than aluminum associated with aluminum hydroxide. (3) EPA is aware of field data indicating that many high quality waters in the U.S. contain
more than 87 /j,g aluminum/L, when either total recoverable or dissolved is measured.
M U.S. EPA. 1973. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.; U.S. EPA. 1977. Temperature
Criteria for Freshwater Fish: Protocol and Procedures. EPA-600/3-77-061. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.
N This value was announced (62FR42554, August 7, 1997) as a proposed 304(a) aquatic life criterion. Although EPA has not responded to public comment, EPA is
publishing this as a 304(a) criterion in today's notice as guidance for States and Tribes to consider when adopting water quality criteria.
O U.S. EPA. 1986. Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen. EPA 440/5-86-003. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.
19
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR ORGANOLEPTIC EFFECTS
Pollutant
1 Acenaphthene
2 Monochlorobenzene
3 3-Chlorophenol
4 4-Chlorophenol
5 2,3-Dichlorophenol
6 2,5-Dichlorophenol
7 2,6-Dichlorophenol
8 3,4-Dichlorophenol
9 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
10 2,4,6-Trichloropehnol
11 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
12 2-Methyl-4-Chlorophenol
13 3-Methyl-4-Chlorophenol
14 3-Methyl-6-Chlorophenol
15 2-Chlorophenol
16 Copper
17 2,4-Dichlorophenol
18 2,4-Dimethylpehnol
19 Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
20 Nitrobenzene
CAS Number
83329
108907
-
106489
-
-
-
-
95954
88062
-
-
59507
-
95578
7440508
120832
105679
77474
98953
Organoleptic Effect Criteria
(Mg/L)
20
20
0.1
0.1
0.04
0.5
0.2
0.3
1
2
1
1800
3000
20
0.1
1000
0.3
400
1
30
FR Cite/Source
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
20
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Pollutant
21 Pentachlorophenol
22 Phenol
23 Zinc
CAS Number
87865
108952
7440666
Organoleptic Effect Criteria
Gug/L)
30
300
5000
FR Cite/Source
Gold Book
Gold Book
45FR79341
General Notes:
1. These criteria are based on organoleptic (taste and odor) effects. Because of variations in chemical nomenclature systems, this listing of pollutants does not
duplicate the listing in Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 423. Also listed are the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry numbers, which provide a unique
identification for each chemical.
NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
Additional Notes:
1. Criteria Maximum Concentration and Criterion Continuous Concentration
The Criteria Maximum Concentration (CMC) is an estimate of the highest concentration of a material in surface water to which an aquatic community can be
exposed briefly without resulting in an unacceptable effect. The Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) is an estimate of the highest concentration of a material in
surface water to which an aquatic community can be exposed indefinitely without resulting in an unacceptable effect. The CMC and CCC are just two of the six parts
of a aquatic life criterion; the other four parts are the acute averaging period, chronic averaging period, acute frequency of allowed exceedence, and chronic frequency
of allowed exceedence. Because 304(a) aquatic life criteria are national guidance, they are intended to be protective of the vast majority of the aquatic communities in
the United States.
2. Criteria Recommendations for Priority Pollutants, Non Priority Pollutants and Organoleptic Effects
This compilation lists all priority toxic pollutants and some non priority toxic pollutants, and both human health effect and organoleptic effect criteria issued
pursuant to CWA §304(a). Blank spaces indicate that EPA has no CWA §304(a) criteria recommendations. For a number of non-priority toxic pollutants not listed,
CWA §304(a) "water + organism" human health criteria are not available, but, EPA has published MCLs under the SDWA that may be used in establishing water
quality standards to protect water supply designated uses. Because of variations in chemical nomenclature systems, this listing of toxic pollutants does not duplicate
the listing in Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 423. Also listed are the Chemical Abstracts Service CAS registry numbers, which provide a unique identification for each
chemical.
3. Human Health Risk
The human health criteria for the priority and non priority pollutants are based on carcinogenicity of 10"6 risk. Alternate risk levels may be obtained by moving the
decimal point (e.g., for a risk level of 10"5, move the decimal point in the recommended criterion one place to the right).
21
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4. Water Quality Criteria published pursuant to Section 304(a) or Section 303(c) of the CWA
Many of the values in the compilation were published in the proposed California Toxics Rule (CTR, 62FR42160). Although such values were published pursuant
to Section 303(c) of the CWA, they represent the Agency's most recent calculation of water quality criteria and thus are published today as the Agency's 304(a)
criteria. Water quality criteria published in the proposed CTR may be revised when EPA takes final action on the CTR.
5. Calculation of Dissolved Metals Criteria
The 304(a) criteria for metals, shown as dissolved metals, are calculated in one of two ways. For freshwater metals criteria that are hardness-dependent, the
dissolved metal criteria were calculated using a hardness of 100 mg/1 as CaCO3 for illustrative purposes only. Saltwater and freshwater metals' criteria that are not
hardness-dependent are calculated by multiplying the total recoverable criteria before rounding by the appropriate conversion factors. The final dissolved metals'
criteria in the table are rounded to two significant figures. Information regarding the calculation of hardness dependent conversion factors are included in the
footnotes.
6. Correction of Chemical Abstract Services Number
The Chemical Abstract Services number (CAS) for Bis(2-Chloroisoprpyl) Ether, has been corrected in the table. The correct CAS number for this chemical is
39638-32-9. Previous publications listed 108-60-1 as the CAS number for this chemical.
7. Maximum Contaminant Levels
The compilation includes footnotes for pollutants with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) more stringent than the recommended water quality criteria in the
compilation. MCLs for these pollutants are not included in the compilation, but can be found in the appropriate drinking water regulations (40 CFR 141.11-16 and
141.60-63), or can be accessed through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or the Internet (http://www.epa.gov/ost/tools/dwstds-s.html).
8. Organoleptic Effects
The compilation contains 304(a) criteria for pollutants with toxicity-based criteria as well as non-toxicity based criteria. The basis for the non-toxicity based
criteria are organoleptic effects (e.g., taste and odor) which would make water and edible aquatic life unpalatable but not toxic to humans. The table includes criteria
for organoleptic effects for 23 pollutants. Pollutants with organoleptic effect criteria more stringent than the criteria based on toxicity (e.g., included in both the
priority and non-priority pollutant tables) are footnoted as such.
9. Category Criteria
In the 1980 criteria documents, certain recommended water quality criteria were published for categories of pollutants rather than for individual pollutants within
that category. Subsequently, in a series of separate actions, the Agency derived criteria for specific pollutants within a category. Therefore, in this compilation EPA is
replacing criteria representing categories with individual pollutant criteria (e.g., 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene).
10. Specific Chemical Calculations
A. Selenium
(1) Human Health
In the 1980 Selenium document, a criterion for the protection of human health from consumption of water and organisms was calculated based on a BCF of
6.0 L/kg and a maximum water-related contribution of 35 /j,g Se/day. Subsequently, the EPA Office of Health and Environmental Assessment issued an errata notice
(February 23, 1982), revising the BCF for selenium to 4.8 L/kg. In 1988, EPA issued an addendum (ECAO-CIN-668) revising the human health criteria for selenium.
Later in the final National Toxic Rule (NTR, 57 FR 60848), EPA withdrew previously published selenium human health criteria, pending Agency review of new
epidemiological data.
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This compilation includes human health criteria for selenium, calculated using a BCF of 4.8 L/kg along with the current IRIS RfD of 0.005 mg/kg/day. EPA
included these recommended water quality criteria in the compilation because the data necessary for calculating a criteria in accordance with EPA's 1980 human
health methodology are available.
(2) Aquatic Life
This compilation contains aquatic life criteria for selenium that are the same as those published in the proposed CTR. In the CTR, EPA proposed an acute
criterion for selenium based on the criterion proposed for selenium in the Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System (61 FR 58444). The GLI and CTR
proposals take into account data showing that selenium's two most prevalent oxidation states, selenite and selenate, present differing potentials for aquatic toxicity, as
well as new data indicating that various forms of selenium are additive. The new approach produces a different selenium acute criterion concentration, or CMC,
depending upon the relative proportions of selenite, selenate, and other forms of selenium that are present.
EPA notes it is currently undertaking a reassessment of selenium, and expects the 304(a) criteria for selenium will be revised based on the final reassessment
(63FR26186). However, until such time as revised water quality criteria for selenium are published by the Agency, the recommended water quality criteria in this
compilation are EPA's current 304(a) criteria.
B. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene and Zinc
Human health criteria for 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and zinc have not been previously published. Sufficient information is now available for calculating water quality
criteria for the protection of human health from the consumption of aquatic organisms and the consumption of aquatic organisms and water for both these compounds.
Therefore, EPA is publishing criteria for these pollutants in this compilation.
C. Chromium (III)
The recommended aquatic life water quality criteria for chromium (III) included in the compilation are based on the values presented in the document titled: 1995
Updates: Water Quality Criteria Documents for the Protection of Aquatic Life in Ambient Water, however, this document contains criteria based on the total
recoverable fraction. The chromium (III) criteria in this compilation were calculated by applying the conversion factors used in the Final Water Quality Guidance for
the Great Lakes System (60 FR 15366) to the 1995 Update document values.
D. Ether, Bis (Chloromethyl), Pentachlorobenzene, Tetrachlorobenzene 1,2,4,5-, Trichlorphenol
Human health criteria for these pollutants were last published in EPA's Quality Criteria for Water 1986 or "Gold Book". Some of these criteria were calculated
using Acceptable Daily Intake (ADIs) rather than RfDs. Updated ql*s and RfDs are now available in IRIS for ether, bis (chloromethyl), pentachlorobenzene,
tetrachlorobenzene 1,2,4,5-, and trichlorophenol, and were used to revise the water quality criteria for these compounds. The recommended water quality criteria for
ether, bis (chloromethyl) were revised using an updated ql*, while criteria for pentachlorobenzene, and tetrachlorobenzene 1,2,4,5-, and trichlorophenol were derived
using an updated RfD value.
E. PCBs
In this compilation EPA is publishing aquatic life and human health criteria based on total PCBs rather than individual arochlors. These criteria replace the
previous criteria for the seven individual arochlors. Thus, there are criteria for a total of 102 of the 126 priority pollutants.
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Appendix A - Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals
Metal
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium III
Chromium VI
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
Silver
Zinc
Conversion Factor
freshwater CMC
1.000
1.136672-[(ln
hardness)(0.041838)]
0.316
0.982
0.960
1.46203-[(ln
hardness)(0.145712)]
0.85
0.998
~
0.85
0.978
Conversion Factor
freshwater CCC
1.000
1.101672-[(ln
hardness)(0.041838)]
0.860
0.962
0.960
1.46203-[(ln
hardness)(0.145712)]
0.85
0.997
-
-
0.986
Conversion Factor
saltwater CMC
1.000
0.994
~
0.993
0.83
0.951
0.85
0.990
0.998
0.85
0.946
Conversion Factor
saltwater CCC1
1.000
0.994
~
0.993
0.83
0.951
0.85
0.990
0.998
-
0.946
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Appendix B - Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria That Are Hardness-Dependent
Chemical
Cadmium
Chromium III
Copper
Lead
Nickel
Silver
Zinc
mA
1.128
0.8190
0.9422
1.273
0.8460
1.72
0.8473
bA
-3.6867
3.7256
-1.700
-1.460
2.255
-6.52
0.884
nic
0.7852
0.8190
0.8545
1.273
0.8460
-
0.8473
bc
-2.715
0.6848
-1.702
-4.705
0.0584
-
0.884
Freshwater Conversion Factors (CF)
Acute
1.136672-[ln
(hardness)(0.041838)]
0.316
0.960
1.46203-[ln
(hardness)(0.145712)]
0.998
0.85
0.978
Chronic
1.101672-[ln
(hardness)(0.041838)]
0.860
0.960
1.46203-[ln
(hardness)(0.145712)]
0.997
-
0.986
Appendix C - Calculation of Freshwater Ammonia Criterion
1. The one-hour average concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg N/L) does not exceed, more than once every three years on the average, the
CMC calculated using the following equation:
0.275 39.0
CMC = +
I + 1Q7.204-pH j + TQpH-7.204
In situations where salmonids do not occur, the CMC may be calculated using the following equation:
0.411 58.4
rivrr — +
\^1V1\^ I
I + 1Q7.204-pH j + TQpH-7.204
2. The thirty-day average concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg N/L) does not exceed, more than once every three years on the average, the
CCC calculated using the following equation:
0.0858 3.70
ccc = +
1 _|_ JQ7.688-pH ^ + jQpH-7.688
and the highest four-day average within the 30-day period does not exceed twice the CCC.
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