National Primary Drinking Water Regulations : Picloram


                    United States
                    Environmental Protection
                    Agency
                             Office of Water
                             4601
    EPA811-F-95-003 z-C
          October 1995
                    National  Primary  Drinking
                    Water Regulations
                    Picloram
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health  problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
WHAT is
PICLORAM
AND HOW IS IT USED?
DRINKING WATER
STANDARDS:
MCLG:
Met:
0.5 PPM
0.5 PPM
  Picloram is a crystalline organic solid with a chlorine-like odor. It is used in salt
form as a  systemic herbicide for controlling annual weeds on crops, and in
combination with 2,4-D or 2,4;5-T against perennials on non-croplands for brush
control. Picloram is used to control bitterweed, knapweed., leafy spurge, loco-
weed, larkspur, mesquite,  prickly pear, and snakeweed on rangeland in the
western states.
  The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you are using
this chemical at home or work.
WHY is PICLORAM
BEING REGULATED?
WHAT ARE THE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
  In 1974, Congress passed the.Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
  The MCLG for picloram has been set at 0.5 parts per million (ppm) because EPA
believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
problems described below.
  Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
using suitable treatment technologies.
  The MCL has also been set at 0.5 ppm because EPA believes,, given present
technology and resources, this  is the lowest level to which  water systems can
reasonably be required to remove this contaminant  should it occur in drinking
water.
  These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
water supplies must abide by these regulations.
  Short-term: EPA has found picloram to potentially cause the
following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels
above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: damage to
central nervous system, weakness, diarrhea, weight loss.
  Long-term; Picloram has the potential to cause the following
        TRADE NAMES AND
        SYNONYMS:
          "AGENT WHITE"
          TOROON
October 1995
              Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

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effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver damage.
How MUCH PICLORAM
EPA estimates that 300,000 lbs. of picloram were produced in the US in 1982. IS PRODUCED AND
Picloram is released to the environment primarily from its application as a RELEASED’ TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
herbicide, and also during its productidñ and handling.
Picloram is the most persistent of its family of herbicides. WHATHAPPENS TO
PICLORAM
It does’not adhere to soil and so may leach to groundwater,:and has in fact been WHEN ITIS RELEASED TO
detected there. It is degraded in soil and water mainly by microbes. Picloram has ‘ THE ENVIRONMENT?
very little tendency to accumulate in aquatic life.
How V,ILL
The regulation for picloram became effective in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995,. .PICLORAM
EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one BE DETECTED IN AND’
year and analyze’them to find out if picloram is present above 0 1 part per billion. REMovED FROM
If it i present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this M DRINKING WATER?
contaminant. ‘ ‘
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of picloram so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have’ been approved by EPA
for removing picloram: Granular activated charcoal.
How Vv7LL I KNOW IF
If the levels of picloram exceed the MCLI ‘0.5 ppm, the system must notify the PICLO AM , IN MY
public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additiohal actions, such as DRINKING’ WATER?
providing alternative drinking’water supplies, may be required to prevent serious
risks to public health. ‘
Learn more about your drinking water! ‘ ‘
EPA strongly encourages people to learn rr ” re ‘ Yourstate Department of Health/Environment is also a
abouttheirdrinking water, and to support local e” ‘ts valuable sourceof information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe dr ’ For help in locating, these agencies or for information on
water. Your water bill or telephone book’s g drinking water in general, call: ,
me’nt listings are a good starting point. . EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
Your local water supplier can ‘give’ you a list of the For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemicals in your state, contact the:
your water is treated. ‘ Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
October 1995 ,Consumer Version Page 2

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