United States Office of Water EPA-822-R-02-047
Environmental Protection Office of Science and Technology November 2002
Agency (4304T)
National Recommended
Water Quality Criteria:
2002
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NOTICE
This document has been reviewed by the Health and Ecological Criteria Division, Office of
Science and Technology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication.
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CONTENTS
NOTICE i
CONTENTS ii
I Introduction 1
II What is in this Updated Compilation? 1
III What is the Relationship Between These Criteria and Your State or Tribal Water
Quality Standards? 2
IV What is the Status of Existing Recommended Criteria While They Are Under Revision? . . 3
V What's New in the Compilation? 3
Human Health Criteria 3
Revised Human Health Criteria 3
Methylmercury 5
Dioxin 5
Aquatic Life Criteria 6
Revised Definition of Total PCBs for Aquatic Life Criteria 6
Saltwater Dissolved Oxygen (Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras) 6
Freshwater Aquatic Life Criteria for Ammonia 7
Cadmium 7
Guidance on the Calculation of Hardness-Dependent Metals Criteria 7
National Guidance on the Applicability of Freshwater and Saltwater Criteria ... 9
Nutrient Criteria 9
VI Comments on the December 10, 1998 National Recommended Water Quality
Criteria Compilation 10
VII Where Can I Find More Information About Water Quality Criteria and Water
Quality Standards? 10
VIII What Are the National Recommended Water Quality Criteria? 11
General Notes: 29
Appendices: 31
Appendix A - Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals 31
Appendix B - Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria
That Are Hardness-Dependent 32
Appendix C - Calculation of Freshwater Ammonia Criterion 33
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I Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is publishing an updated compilation of
its national recommended water quality criteria for 158 pollutants, developed pursuant to section
304(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA or the Act). Section 304(a)(l) of the 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.
The recommended water quality criteria contained in this document provide guidance for
states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the CWA to protect human
health and aquatic life. Under the CWA, states and authorized tribes are to establish water
quality standards to protect designated uses. Such standards are used in implementing a number
of environmental programs, including setting discharge limits in National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permits. While this document constitutes the EPA's guidance
regarding ambient concentrations for various pollutants, this document does not substitute for the
CWA or EPA's regulations; nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it cannot impose legally binding
requirements on the EPA, states, authorized tribes or the regulated community, and might not
apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. State and tribal decision-makers
retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance
when appropriate. The EPA may change this guidance in the future.
II What is in this Updated Compilation?
EPA developed an updated compilation of its national recommended water quality criteria
(NRWQC) for pollutants. The criteria in this document supercede any Clean Water Act (CWA)
section 304(a) water quality criteria published in EPA's previous criteria compilations including:
the "Blue Book" "Red Book" "Gold Book' and EPA's last compilation of national
recommended water quality criteria published on December 10, 1998 (63 FR 68354 or National
Recommended Water Quality Criteria- Correction, April 1999, EPA 822-Z-99-001). Many of
the human health criteria in this compilation have been revised based on EPA's new
methodology for deriving human health criteria (See: Methodology for Deriving Ambient Water
Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health (2000), EPA-822-B-00-004, October 2000).
Water quality criteria contained in this document may be superceded by the publication of
section 304(a) water quality criteria subsequent to the publication of this document.
This compilation is presented as a summary table containing EPA's water quality criteria
for 158 pollutants. For each set of criteria, EPA lists a Federal Register citation, EPA document
number or Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) entry (www.epa. gov/iris/index.html).
Information pertinent to the derivation of individual criteria may be found in the cited references
or footnotes. Still, these references may not be a single complete source of information for the
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criteria derivation. You may need to refer to more than one document for complete information.
A calculation matrix that contains all of the components (e.g., cancer potency factors (ql*s),
reference doses (RfDs) and bioconcentration factors (BCFs)) and formulas used to derive the
human health criteria in the compilation is available at http://www.epa. gov/waterscience/criteria/.
EPA does not have national recommended water quality criteria for pollutants with no criteria
listed.
The national recommended water quality criteria include: previously published criteria that
are unchanged, criteria that have been recalculated from earlier criteria (63 FR68354,
12/10/1998) and newly calculated criteria based on peer-reviewed assessments and data.
The Agency intends to revise this compilation of national recommended water quality
criteria from time to time to keep states and authorized tribes informed as to the most current
recommended section 304(a) water quality criteria.
Ill What is the Relationship Between These Criteria and Your State or Tribal Water
Quality Standards?
As part of the water quality standards triennial review process defined in Section 303(c)(l)
of the CWA, the states and authorized tribes are responsible for maintaining and revising water
quality standards. Water quality standards consist of designated uses, water quality criteria to
protect those uses, a policy for antidegradation, and general policies for application and
implementation. Section 303(c)(l) requires States and Tribes to review, and modify if
appropriate, their water quality standards at least once every three years.
States and authorized tribes must adopt water quality criteria that protect designated uses.
Protective criteria are based on a sound scientific rationale and contain sufficient parameters or
constituents to protect the designated uses. Criteria may be expressed in either narrative or
numeric form. States and authorized tribes have four options when adopting water quality
criteria for which EPA has published section 304(a) criteria. They can: (1) establish numerical
values based on recommended section 304(a) criteria; (2) adopt section 304(a) criteria modified
to reflect site-specific conditions; (3) adopt criteria derived using other scientifically defensible
methods; or (4) establish narrative criteria where numeric criteria cannot be determined (40 CFR
131.11).
Consistent with 40 CFR131.21 (See: EPA Review and Approval of State and Tribal Water
Quality Standards (65 FR 24641, April 27, 2000)), water quality criteria adopted by law or
regulation by States and Tribes prior to May 30, 2000, are in effect for CWA purposes unless
superseded by federal regulations (see, for example, the National Toxics Rule, 40 CFR 131.36;
Water Quality Standards for Idaho., 40 CFR 131.33). New or revised water quality criteria
adopted into law or regulation by States and Tribes on or after May 30, 2000 are in effect for
CWA purposes only after EPA approval.
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IV What is the Status of Existing Recommended Criteria While They Are
Under Revision?
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 certain chemicals, EPA has consistently supported the use of the existing
section 304(a) criteria for these chemicals and considers them to be scientifically sound until the
Agency reevaluates the 304(a) criteria, subjects the criteria to appropriate peer review, and
subsequently publishes revised 304(a) criteria.
V What's New in the Compilation?
Human Health Criteria
Revised Human Health Criteria
EPA revised the methodology it uses to develop water quality criteria for protection of
human health. The revised methodology entitled, Methodology for Deriving Ambient Water
Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health (2000) (EPA-822-B-00-004, October 2000)
and a Federal Register notice (65 FR 66443, 11/3/2000) both describe the Agency's current
approach for deriving national recommended water quality criteria to protect human health.
EPA has revised many of the human health criteria in the compilation based on this new
methodology. By and large, these represent partial updates of the 304(a) criteria as described in
both the draft Methodology revisions and the Federal Register notice that accompanied the final
Methodology (65 FR 66443). EPA received much support for revising criteria based on partially
updated components of the criteria equations as a way of increasing the frequency of scientific
improvements to the nationally recommended criteria that currently available information would
allow. For a water quality criterion revision based on a partial update to be considered
acceptable to EPA, a component of the criterion (e.g., the toxicological risk assessment) would
need to be comprehensive (e.g., a new or revised RED or cancer dose-response assessment, as
opposed to simply a new scaling factor), should stand alone and be based on new national or
local data. These recalculations of water quality criteria integrate an updated national default
freshwater/estuarine fish consumption rate (17.5 g/day) and, in some cases, previously
determined relative source contribution (RSC) values obtained from primary drinking water
standards as well as new cancer potency information from the Agency's Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS).
EPA has not revised the human health criteria in today's compilation to include
bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) based on the 2000 Methodology. The BAF component of
criteria development is comparatively time- and resource-intensive. As previously indicated,
EPA received support for partial updates rather than waiting a substantially longer period of time
for BAFs to be developed. EPA also received support for the idea of not automatically
developing BAFs for all of the currently published criteria, but rather revising criteria for
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pollutants of high priority and national importance. EPA intends to focus its limited resources on
developing BAFs for pollutants that the Agency considers highest priority in terms of
toxicological concern, frequency of occurrence and bioaccumulation potential. EPA is in the
process of determining candidate pollutants for BAF derivations. The human health criteria were
developed with BCFs or field-measured BAFs previously developed using the 1980
Methodology. The BCFs used in deriving these criteria are consistent with BCFs used in
promulgating human health criteria for priority toxic pollutants in rules such as the 1992
National Toxics Rule and the 2000 California Toxics Rule.
Not all of EPA's national recommended water quality criteria for protection of human
health were revised in this compilation. Criteria currently undergoing major reassessments, such
as arsenic, chloroform and nickel, were not revised at this time. Water quality criteria that predate
EPA's 1980 human health methodology were not revised for this effort. EPA believes revisions
for these criteria, which include barium, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-TP, iron, manganese, methoxychlor,
nitrates and solids (dissolved) and salinity may warrant major reassessments. Updated IRIS
information and/or RSC values are available for vinyl chloride, 1,1-dichloroethylene, 1,3-
dichloropropene, thallium, chlorobenzene, cyanide, ethylbenzene, toluene, 1,2-trans-
dichloroethylene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclopentadiene, 1,2,4-
trichlorobenzene, Lindane and Endrin. Yet, EPA did not update the criteria for the preceeding 15
chemicals in this document. EPA intends to publish revisions for the aformentioned chemicals in
a separate Federal Register notice, soliciting scientific views regarding these revisions.
New IRIS information was available and incorporated for benzene. EPA revised the
criteria for benzene based on the new cancer slope factors, which are presented in IRIS as a
range. The set of risk estimates falling within this interval reflects both the inherent uncertainties
in the risk assessment of benzene and the limitations of the epidemiological studies in
determining dose-response and exposure data. EPA modeled the unit risk values for the
carcinogenicity of benzene from epidemiological data on occupationally exposed humans. The
unit risk is expressed as a range rather than a single value because in the case of this particular
pollutant there is no scientific basis for choosing a single result from various model estimates.
(See IRIS Benzene CASRN 71-43-2 (01/19/2000) at: www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0276.htmy The
resulting ranges of criteria for protection of human health from consumption of water and
organisms and consumption of organisms only are 0.61- 2.2 ug/L and 14-51 ug/L, respectively.
The Agency calculated the criteria as ranges, but is recommending the use of the upper limits in
the criteria table. EPA considers any criterion in each range scientifically defensible, yet only the
upper limit of each range is presented to establish the upper bound of the average ambient
concentration that should not be exceeded.
For copper and asbestos, the Agency chose to base the section 304(a) water quality
criteria on the Agency's drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or action levels
which are established on drinking water regulation methodologies.
A notice of intent to revise or develop human health criteria for arsenic, methylmercury
and carbofuran was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2000 (65 FR 60664). This
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notice informed the public that EPA was in the process of revising or developing criteria for
these pollutants and solicited any significant scientific information the public may be aware of
that was not identified in EPA's literature search. A human health criterion for methylmercury is
now available. Work is ongoing for arsenic and carbofuran.
Methylmercury
On January 8, 2001, EPA announced the availability of a recommended water quality
criterion for methylmercury (66 FR 1344). In the January 8, 2001 notice, EPA withdrew its
previous ambient human health water quality criteria for mercury (see 63 FR 68354, December
10, 1998; correction in 64 FR 19781, April 22, 1999) as the recommended section 304(a) water
quality criteria. This updated compilation contains the new methylmercury criterion. This new
water quality criterion describes the concentration of methylmercury in freshwater and estuarine
fish and shellfish tissue that should not be exceeded to protect consumers offish and shellfish
among the general population. EPA expects the criterion recommendation to be used as
guidance by states, tribes, and EPA in establishing or updating water quality standards for waters
of the United States and in issuing fish and shellfish consumption advisories. This is the first
time EPA has issued a water quality criterion expressed as a fish and shellfish tissue value rather
than as a water column value. This approach is a direct consequence of the scientific consensus
that consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish is the primary human route of exposure to
methylmercury. EPA recognizes that this approach differs from traditional water column criteria,
and will pose implementation challenges. In the January 8, 2001 notice EPA provided suggested
approaches for relating the fish and shellfish tissue criterion to concentrations of methylmercury
in the water column. EPA also plans to develop more detailed guidance to assist states and
authorized tribes with implementation of the methylmercury criterion in water quality standards
and related programs.
Dioxin
The section 304(a) water quality criteria for dioxin contained in this compilation is
expressed in terms of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) and should be used
in conjunction with the national/international convention of toxicity equivalence factors
(TEF/TEQs) to account for the additive effects of other dioxin-like compounds (dioxins). EPA
supports the use of either the 1989 interim procedures or the 1998 World Health Organization
(WHO) TEF scheme, but prefers the 1998 WHO TEF scheme because it is based on more recent
data and is internationally accepted. (See: Update to the Interim Procedures for Estimating Risks
Associated with Exposures to Mixtures of Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofumns,
EPA/625/3-89/016, March 1989 and Van den Berg M., 1998). By applying the TEF/TEQ
approach, the other highly toxic dioxins will be properly taken into account.
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Aquatic Life Criteria
Revised Definition of Total PCBs for Aquatic Life Criteria
The aquatic life criteria for Poly chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in this compilation apply to
total PCBs. The definition of total PCBs is the sum of all homolog, all isomer, all congener, or
all Aroclor analyses. The aquatic life criteria contained in the previous publication of the
NRWQC (63 FR 68354, 12/10/1998) were based on total PCB concentrations, but the definition
of total PCBs only applied to the sum of seven particular Aroclors (1242, 1254, 1221, 1232,
1248, 1260 and 1016, CAS numbers 53469219, 11097691, 11104282, 11141165, 12672296,
11096825, and 12674112, respectively). This revision of the aquatic life criteria harmonizes the
total PCB definition with that used for EPA's human health criteria for PCBs.
Saltwater Dissolved Oxygen (Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras)
This new compilation of NRWQC contains saltwater criteria for dissolved oxygen (D.O.).
EPA's new water quality criteria are the result of a 10-year research effort to produce sufficient
information to support their development. The water quality criteria presented today represent
EPA's best estimates, based on the data available, of D.O. concentrations necessary to protect
aquatic life and uses associated with aquatic life.
EPA published saltwater criteria for dissolved oxygen because hypoxia (low dissolved
oxygen) is a significant problem for certain coastal waters that receive runoff containing nutrients
(e.g., nitrogen, phosphorous) and other oxygen demanding biological wastes. Excessive amounts
of nutrients in aquatic systems stimulate algal growth which can deplete available dissolved
oxygen required to maintain healthy fish and shellfish populations. EPA's Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) for the estuaries in the Virginian Province
(defined as Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras) has shown that 25% of the area of the Virginian Province
exhibits dissolved oxygen concentrations of less than 5 mg/L. For many fish and shellfish,
extended periods of D.O. below 5 mg/L can cause adverse effects to larval life stages. EMAP
also has generated field observations that correlate many of the biologically degraded benthic
areas with low dissolved oxygen in the lower water column. These two reports emphasize that
hypoxia is a major concern within the Virginian Province, among other coastal locations of the
United States.
The geographic scope of the saltwater dissolved oxygen water quality criteria are limited
to coastal saltwaters of the Virginian Province of the Atlantic coast of the United States (i.e.,
southern Cape Cod, MA, to Cape Hatteras, NC). However, the saltwater dissolved oxygen
criteria can be applied elsewhere if the species and data used to derive the criteria for the Virginia
Province are applicable to location-specific biological, physical, and water quality conditions.
EPA believes that the overall approach for deriving marine water quality criteria for D.O.
contained in Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen (Saltwater): Cape Cod to
Cape Hatteras is applicable to regions outside the Virginian Province.
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For additional information see: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen
(Saltwater): Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras (EPA-822R-00-012).
Freshwater Aquatic Life Criteria for Ammonia
This compilation includes EPA's latest revision (1999} of the freshwater aquatic life
criteria for ammonia. The new water quality criteria reflect research and data since 1984,
including the pH and temperature relationship of the acute and chronic criteria and the averaging
period of the chronic criterion. The revised acute criterion for ammonia is now dependent on pH
and fish species, and the chronic criterion is dependent on pH and temperature. At lower
temperatures, the chronic criterion incorporates the presence or absence of early life stages of
fish. The temperature dependency results in a gradual increase in the criterion as temperature
decreases. At temperatures below 15 °C the criterion is more stringent, when early life stages of
fish are expected to be present. EPA's recommendations in the 1999 criteria represent a change
from both the 1984 chronic ammonia criterion, which was dependent mainly on pH, and from the
1998 ammonia criteria, in which the chronic criterion was dependent on pH and the presence of
early life stages offish.
For additional information see: 1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for
Ammonia (EPA-822-R-99-014).
Cadmium
EPA revised its aquatic life criteria for cadmium. A notice was published in the Federal
Register (65 FR 50201, 8/17/2000) announcing the availability of the peer review draft and
soliciting any significant scientific input from the public. EPA has addressed the peer review
comments and significant issues raised by the public. A notice of availability for the completed
document, entitled 2001 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Cadmium (EPA-822-R-
01-001) was published in the Federal Register on April 12, 2001 (66 FR18935).
Guidance on the Calculation of Hardness-Dependent Metals Criteria
Freshwater aquatic life criteria for certain metals are expressed as a function of hardness
because hardness can affect the toxicities of these metals. Hardness is used as a surrogate for a
number of water quality characteristics which affect the toxicity of metals. Increasing hardness
has the effect of decreasing the toxicity of metals. Water quality criteria to protect aquatic life
may be calculated at different concentrations of hardness measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L)
as calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
Appendix B of this document presents the hardness-dependent equations for freshwater
metals criteria. The specific values in the table are calculated at a hardness of 100 mg/L (CaCO3)
for illustrative purposes only. The hardness equations included in this compilation were
developed based on results from laboratory toxicity tests that were conducted in fresh waters
encompassing a range of hardness values. Although the amount of data and the strength of the
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relationship vary for different metals, almost all data for hardness and toxicity are in the 20 to
400 mg/L hardness range.
In the past, EPA recommended that when the hardness of fresh surface water is less than
25 mg/L, 304(a) criteria concentrations be calculated as if the hardness is 25 mg/L. Available
toxicity data in this range for copper, zinc and cadmium (EPA 440/5-84-031, EPA 440/5-87-
003,and EPA-822-R-01-001) are somewhat limited, and are quite limited for silver, lead,
chromium III and nickel (EPA 440/5-80-071, EPA 440/5-84-027,EPA 440/5-84-029 and EPA
440/5-86-004). Even fewer data are available below 20 mg/L hardness for copper, zinc and
cadmium and none are available for silver, lead, chromium III and nickel. EPA evaluated these
limited data, available in the current metals' criteria documents, and determined that they are
inconclusive. Capping hardness at 25 mg/L without additional data or justification may result in
criteria that provide less protection than that intended by EPA's Guidelines for Deriving
Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their
Uses (EPA 822/R-85-100) or "the Guidelines." Therefore, EPA now recommends that hardness
not be capped at 25 mg/L, or any other hardness on the low end. If there is a state or tribal
regulatory requirement that hardness be capped at 25 mg/L, or if there are any situation-specific
questions about the applicability of the hardness-toxicity relationship, a Water Effect Ratio
(WER) procedure should be used to provide the level of protection intended by the Guidelines.
When an ambient hardness of less than 25 mg/L is used to establish criteria for lead or cadmium,
the hardness dependent Conversion Factor (CF) should not exceed one.
For hardness over 400 mg/L, EPA recommends two options: (1) calculate the criterion
using a default WER of 1.0 and using a hardness of 400 mg/L in the hardness equation; or (2)
calculate the criterion using a WER and the actual ambient hardness of the surface water in the
equation. The second option is expected to result in the level of protection intended in the
Guidelines whereas the first option is thought to result in an even more protective aquatic life
criterion. At high hardness there is an indication that hardness and related inorganic water
quality characteristics do not have as much of an effect on toxicity of metals as they do at lower
hardnesses. Related water quality characteristics do not correlate as well at higher hardnesses as
they do at lower hardnesses. There is also increased uncertainty in this range because very limited
data are available to clearly quantify the relationship between hardness and toxicity. Therefore, if
hardness is over 400 mg/L as CaCO3, EPA continues to recommend that a hardness of 400 mg/L
be used with a default WER of 1.0; alternatively, the WER and actual hardness of the surface
water may be used.
Where applicable water quality standards require the use of a default hardness (e.g., 25
mg/L) to calculate a criterion, states and authorized tribes should use the WER procedure to
adjust that criterion so that it provides the level of protection intended by the Guidelines. As the
WER is inherently a site-specific procedure, any WER developed for a given site would be
applicable only for that site unless its applicability at other sites is demonstrated. In any case,
states and authorized tribes electing to use the WER Guidance should ensure that their water
quality standards provide for them. Consistent with the "Performance-Based Approach"
discussed in detail in EPA's recent modification of its implementing regulations at 40 CFR
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131.21 (See 65 FR 24641, April 27, 2000), EPA encourages states and authorized tribes to
identify all opportunities for adoption, and EPA approval of, such site-specific criteria. A
performance-based approach relies on the adoption of a standard method or process (e.g., WER
procedures) into state or tribal water quality standards, rather than adoption of a specific outcome
(e.g., a site-specific criterion). When such an approach is sufficiently detailed and has suitable
safeguards to ensure predictable, repeatable outcomes, EPA approval of the approach can serve
as approval of the outcomes as well.
National Guidance on the Applicability of Freshwater and Saltwater Criteria
EPA recommends that the aquatic life criteria in this compilation apply as follows:
(1) For water in which the salinity is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95% or
more of the time, the applicable criteria are the freshwater criteria.
(2) For water in which the salinity is equal to or greater than 10 parts per thousand
95% or more of the time, the applicable criteria are the saltwater criteria in
Column C; and
(3) For water in which the salinity is between 1 and 10 parts per thousand the
applicable criteria are the more stringent of the freshwater or saltwater criteria, as
described in items (1) and (2) of this section. However, an alternative freshwater
or saltwater criteria may be used if scientifically defensible information and data
demonstrate that on a site-specific basis the biology of the water body is
dominated by freshwater aquatic life and that freshwater criteria are more
appropriate; or conversely, the biology of the water body is dominated by
saltwater aquatic life and that saltwater criteria are more appropriate.
Nutrient Criteria
EPA recently developed section 304(a) water quality criteria for nutrients because
excessive levels of nutrients are a major cause of the nonattainment of designated uses and more
scientific information is needed to evaluate and address these conditions. Availability of these
nutrient criteria recommendations was announced in the Federal Register on January 9, 2001
(66 FR1671). EPA's nutrient criteria will cover four major types of waterbodies: lakes and
reservoirs, rivers and streams, estuarine and coastal areas, and wetlands across 14 major
ecoregions of the United States. EPA's section 304(a) criteria are intended to provide for the
protection and propagation of aquatic life and recreation. To support the development of the
nutrient criteria, EPA published Technical Guidance Manuals that describe a process for
assessing nutrient conditions in the four waterbody types. (For example See: Nutrient Criteria
Technical Guidance Manual: Lakes and Reservoirs, April 2000; Nutrient Criteria Technical
Guidance Manual; Rivers and Streams, July 2000; Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance
Manual: Estuarine and Coastal Marine Waters, October 2001). This information is intended to
serve as a starting point for the states, authorized tribes and others to develop more refined
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nutrient criteria, as appropriate, using EPA waterbody-specific technical guidance manuals and
other scientifically defensible approaches.
In cases where no new ecoregional nutrient criteria are available, the phosphate
phosphorus information presented in the Gold Book (Quality Criteria for Water: 1986, EPA
440/5-86-001) may still be applicable. The phosphate phosphorus information in the Gold Book
address eutrophication in freshwater systems on a national basis without any consideration of
regional differences that may occur. The new ecoregional nutrient criteria recommendations
reflect regional differences in eutrophication for different water body types and ecological
conditions. The criteria in the compilation for elemental phosphorus is based on the toxic effects
of phosphorus to aquatic organisms and is not intended to prevent eutrophication.
VI Comments on the December 10, 1998 National Recommended Water Quality
Criteria Compilation
When the national recommended water quality criteria compilation was published in
1998, the Agency requested comment and observations on the compilation format and on the
revised criteria development process. No comments were received on the format or process.
Comments were, however, received on specific criteria and errors in formulas. The comments
stated that certain criteria did not reflect the latest scientific knowledge and also that some
criteria were derived based on data where an improper form of chemical was tested because of
bioavailability issues. The errors in the formulas have been corrected. EPA does not agree that
an improper form of the specified chemicals was tested.
VII 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); Draft Strategy for Water Quality Standards and
Criteria: Strengthening the Foundation of Programs to Protect and Restore the Nation's Water
(EPA-823-R-02-001, May 2002); Water Quality Criteria and Standards Plan - 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);
Methodology for Deriving Ambient Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health
(2000), EPA-822-B-00-004, October 2000); 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); and
EPA Review and Approval of State and Tribal Water Quality Standards (65FR24641).
These publications may also be accessed through EPA's National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP, previously NCEPI) or on the Office of Science and
Technology's Homepage (www.epa.gov/OST).
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VIII What Are the National Recommended Water Quality Criteria?
The following compilation and its associated footnotes and notes presents the EPA's
latest national recommended water quality criteria.
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY TOXIC POLLUTANTS
Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
1
2
o
J
4
5a
5b
6
7
8a
8b
9
10
11
12
Antimony
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium (III)
Chromium (VI)
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Methylmercury
Nickel
Selenium
Silver
Thallium
7440360
7440382
7440417
7440439
16065831
18540299
7440508
7439921
7439976
22967926
7440020
7782492
7440224
7440280
340 A.D.K
2.0D,E,K,bb
570 D,E,K
16 D,K
1 3 D,E,K,cc
65 D,E,bb,gg
1.4 D,K,hh
470D.E.K
L,R,T
3.2D.E.G
150A.D.K
0.25 D,E,K,bb
74 D,E,K
11D.K
9.0D,E,K,cc
2.5D,E,bb,gg
0.77 D,K,hh
52 D,E,K
S.Oi
69 A,D,bb
40 D.bb
UOOD.bb
4.8o,cc,ff
210o,bb
1.8D,ee,hh
74 D,bb
290 D.bb.dd
1.9D.G
36 A,D,bb
8.8o,bb
50 D,bb
3 . 1 D.cc.ff
8.1 D,bb
0.94D,ee,hh
8.2o,bb
7 1 D.bb.dd
5.6 B
0.018c,M,s
z
z
Z Total
Z Total
1,300 U
610B
170z
1.7B
640 B
0.14 C,M,S
0.3 mg/kg J
4,600 B
4200
6.3 B
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EPA820/B-96-001
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Zinc
Cyanide
Asbestos
2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxm)
Acrolein
Acrylonitrile
Benzene
Bromoform
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorobenzene
Chlorodibromomethane
Chloroethane
2-Chloroethylvinyl Ether
Chloroform
Dichlorobromomethane
7440666
57125
1332214
1746016
107028
107131
71432
75252
56235
108907
124481
75003
110758
67663
75274
120D.E.K
22K.Q
120D.E.K
5.2 K,Q
90 o.bb
1 Q,bb
81 D,bb
1 Q,bb
7,400 u
700 B
7 million
fibers/L i
5.0E-9 c
190
0.051 B,C
2.2 B,C
4.3 B,C
0.23 B,C
680 B.Z.U,
0.40 B,C
5.7 c,p
0.55 B,C
26,000 u
220,000 B,H
5.1E-9c
290
0.25 B,C
51 B,C
140B,c
1.6 B,C
21,000B,H,u
13B.C
470 c,p
17B.C
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57FR60848
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
1 , 1 -Dichloroethane
1 ,2-Dichloroethane
1 , 1 -Dichloroethylene
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
75343
107062
75354
78875
542756
100414
74839
74873
75092
79345
127184
108883
156605
71556
79005
79016
75014
0.38 B,C
0.057 c
0.50 B,C
10
3,100B
47 B
4.6 B,C
0.1?B,c
0.69 c
6,800 B,Z
700 B,Z
z
0.59B,c
2.5 c
2.0 c
37B,c
3.2 c
15B.C
1,700
29,000 B
1,500B
590 B,C
4.0 B,C
3.3c
200,000 B
140,000 B
16B.C
30 c
530 c
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
2-Chlorophenol
2,4-Dichlorophenol
2,4-Dimethylphenol
2-Methyl-4,6-Dinitrophenol
2,4-Dinitrophenol
2-Nitrophenol
4-Nitrophenol
3 -Methyl-4-Chlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol
Phenol
2,4,6- Trichlorophenol
Acenaphthene
Acenaphthylene
Anthracene
Benzidine
Benzo(a)Anthracene
Benzo(a)Pyrene
95578
120832
105679
534521
51285
88755
100027
59507
87865
108952
88062
83329
208968
120127
92875
56553
50328
19F.K
15p,K
13 bb
7.9bb
81 B,U
77B,u
380 B
13
69 B
u
0.27 B,C
21,000B,u
1.4B.C
670 B,U
8,300 B
0.000086 B,C
0.0038 B,C
0.0038 B,C
150B,u
290 B,U
850 B,U
280
5,300 B
u
3.0 B,C,H
1,700,000 B,U
2.4B,c,u
990 B,U
40,000 B
0.00020 B,C
0.018 B,C
0.018 B,C
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
Benzo(b)Fluoranthene
Benzo(ghi)Perylene
Benzo(k)Fluoranthene
Bis(2-
Chloroethoxy)Methane
Bis(2-Chloroethyl)Ether
Bis(2-Chloroisopropyl)Ether
Bis(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalatex
4-Bromophenyl Phenyl Ether
Butylbenzyl Phthalatew
2 - Chloronaphthalene
4-Chlorophenyl Phenyl Ether
Chrysene
Dibenzo(a,h)Anthracene
1 ,2-Dichlorobenzene
1 ,3 -Dichlorobenzene
1 ,4-Dichlorobenzene
3 ,3 '-Dichlorobenzidine
205992
191242
207089
111911
111444
108601
117817
101553
85687
91587
7005723
218019
53703
95501
541731
106467
91941
0.0038 B,C
0.0038 B,C
0.030B.C
1,400B
1.2B.C
1,500B
1,OOOB
0.0038 B,C
0.0038 B,C
2,700 B
320
400 z
0.021 B,C
0.018 B,C
0.018 B,C
0.53 B,C
65,000 B
2.2 B,C
1,900B
1,600B
0.018 B,C
0.018 B,C
1 7,000 B
960
2,600
0.028 B,C
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
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
Ideno( 1 ,2,3 -cd)Pyrene
Isophorone
Naphthalene
Nitrobenzene
84662
131113
84742
121142
606202
117840
122667
206440
86737
118741
87683
77474
67721
193395
78591
91203
98953
1 7,000 B
270,000
2,000 B
O.llc
0.036B.C
130B
1,100B
0.00028 B,C
0.44 B,C
240 u,z
1.4 B,C
0.0038 B,C
35 B,C
1?B
44,000 B
1,100,000
4,500 B
3.4c
0.20 B,C
140B
5,300 B
0.00029 B,C
18B.C
1 7,000 H,U
3.3B,c
0.018 B,C
960 B,C
690 B.H.U
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
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
62759
621647
86306
85018
129000
120821
309002
319846
319857
58899
319868
57749
50293
72559
72548
3.0 G
0.95 K
2.4 G
1.1 G,n
0.0043 G,aa
0.001 G,aa,ii
1.3 G
0.16G
0.09 G
0.13G.H
0.004 G.aa
0.001 G,aa,ii
0.00069 B,C
0.0050 B,C
3.3B,c
830 B
260
0.000049 B,C
0.0026 B,C
0.0091 B,C
0.019c
0.00080 B,C
0.00022 B,C
0.00022 B,C
0.0003 IB.C
3.0B.C
0.51 B,C
6.0 B,c
4,000 B
940
0.000050 B,C
0.0049 B,C
0.017 B,C
0.063 c
0.00081 B,C
0.00022 B,C
0.00022 B,C
0.0003 IB.C
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Human Health
For Consumption of:
Freshwater Saltwater Water + Organism
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Organism Only FR Cite/
Priority Pollutant Number Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Og/L) Source
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
Dieldrin
alpha-Endosulfan
beta-Endosulfan
Endosulfan Sulfate
Endrin
Endrin Aldehyde
Heptachlor
Heptachlor Epoxide
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs:
Toxaphene
60571
959988
33213659
1031078
72208
7421934
76448
1024573
8001352
0.24 K
0.22 G,Y
0.22 G,Y
0.086 K
0.52o
0.52 G,V
0.73
0.056K.O
0.056 G,Y
0.056G.Y
0.036K.O
0.0038G,aa
0.0038 G.V.aa
0.014N,aa
0.0002 aa
0.71 G
0.034 G,Y
0.034 G,Y
0.037 G
0.053 G
0.053 G,V
0.21
0.0019G,aa
0.0087 G,Y
0.0087 G,Y
0.0023 G.aa
0.0036G,aa
0.0036 G.V.aa
0.03 N.aa
0.0002 aa
0.000052 B,C
62 B
62 B
62 B
0.76B
0.29B
0.000079 B,C
0.000039 B,C
0.000064 B,C,N
0.00028 B,C
0.000054 B,C
89 B
89 B
89 B
0.81 B,H
0.30 B,H
0.000079 B,C
0.000039 B,C
0.000064 B,C,N
0.00028 B,C
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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.
19
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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 May 17, 2002. 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
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) = exp{mc [In (hardness)]+ bc} (CF) and the parameters specified in Appendix B- 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(l .005(pH)-4.869);
CCC = exp(l .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), Endrm (EPA 440/5-80-047), Heptachlor (EPA 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 This fish tissue residue criterion for methylmercury is based on a total fish consumption rate of 0.0175 kg/day.
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 iv of 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.
20
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L The CMC = l/[(fl/CMCl) + (I2/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 ng/1 and 12.82 ng/1, respectively.
M EPA is currently reassessing the criteria for arsenic.
N This criterion applies to total pcbs, (e.g., the sum of all congener or all isomer or homolog or Aroclor analyses.)
O The derivation of the CCC for this pollutant (Endrin) did not consider exposure through the diet, which is probably important for aquatic life occupying
upper trophic levels.
P Although a new RfD is available in IRIS, the surface water criteria will not be revised until the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Stage 2
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) is completed, since public comment on the relative source contribution (RSC) for
chloroform is anticipated.
Q This recommended water quality criterion is expressed as (ig free cyanide (as CN)/L.
R This value for selenium 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 for arsenic refers to the inorganic form only.
T This recommended water quality criterion for selenium is expressed in terms of total recoverable metal in the water column. It is scientifically acceptable to
use the conversion factor (0.996- CMC or 0.922- CCC) 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.
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 completed criteria document for butylbenzyl phthalate 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 alpha-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 criterion is based on a 304(a) aquatic life criterion issued in 1980 or 1986, 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), Endrin (EPA 440/5-80-047), Heptachlor (EPA 440/5-80-052), Polychlormated
biphenyls (EPA 440/5-80-068), Toxaphene (EPA 440/5-86-006). This CCC is currently based on the Final Residue Value (FRY) procedure. 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. Therefore, the Agency anticipates that future revisions of this CCC will
not be based on the FRV procedure.
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 882-R-01-001), 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).
21
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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 \ig/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 in Ambient 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.
ii This criterion applies to DDT and its metabolites (i.e., the total concentration of DDT and its metabolites should not exceed this value).
22
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS
Human Health
Freshwater Saltwater For Consumption of:
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Water + Organism FR
Non Priority Pollutant Number (ug/L) (Hg/L) (^g/L) (ug/L) Organism (ug/L) Only (ug/L) Cite/Source
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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)
--
7429905
7664417
--
--
7440393
--
16887006
7782505
93721
94757
2921882
--
8065483
542881
750 G,I
20000 F
87 G.I.L
FRESHWATER CRITERIA ARE pH, Temperature and Life-stage DEPENDENT - SEE
DOCUMENT D
SALTWATER CRITERIA ARE pH AND TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
FOR PRIMARY RECREATION AND SHELLFISH USES - SEE DOCUMENT
1,000 A
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
860,000 G
19
0.083 G
230,000 G
11
0.041 G
13
0.011 G
7.5
0.0056 G
c
10A
100A.C
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT F
0.1 F
0.1 F
0.00010 E,H
0.00029 E,H
Gold Book
53FR33178
EPA822-R-99-014
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
65FR66443
23
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Human Health
Freshwater Saltwater For Consumption of:
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Water + Organism FR
Non Priority Pollutant Number (ug/L) (Hg/L) (^g/L) (ug/L) Organism (ug/L) Only (ug/L) Cite/Source
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Gases, Total Dissolved
Guthion
Hardness
Hexachlorocyclo-hexane-
Technical
Iron
Malathion
Manganese
Methoxychlor
Mirex
Nitrates
Nitrosamines
Dinitrophenols
Nitrosodibutylamine,N
Nitrosodiethylamine,N
Nitrosopyrrolidine,N
Oil and Grease
--
86500
--
319868
7439896
121755
7439965
72435
2385855
14797558
--
25550587
924163
55185
930552
--
NARRATIVE STATEMENT - SEE DOCUMENT F
0.01 F
0.01 F
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
1,OOOF
0.1 F
0.03 F
0.001 F
0.1 F
0.03 F
0.001 F
0.0123
300 A
50 A,O
100 A,C
10,000 A
0.0008
69
0.0063 A,H
0.0008 A,H
0.016H
0.0414
100 A
1.24
5300
0.22 A,H
1.24A.H
34 H
NARRATIVE STATEMENT - SEE DOCUMENT F
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
65FR66443
65FR66443
Gold Book
65FR66443
Gold Book
24
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Human Health
Freshwater Saltwater For Consumption of:
CAS CMC CCC CMC CCC Water + Organism FR
Non Priority Pollutant Number (ug/L) (Hg/L) (^g/L) (ug/L) Organism (ug/L) Only (ug/L) Cite/Source
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Oxygen, Dissolved
Freshwater
Oxygen, Dissolved
Saltwater
Parathion
Pentachlorobenzene
pH
Phosphorus Elemental
Nutrients
Solids Dissolved and Salinity
Solids Suspended and
Turbidity
Sulfide-Hydrogen Sulfide
Tainting Substances
Temperature
Tetrachlorobenzene, 1 ,2,4,5-
Tributyltin (TBT)
Trichlorophenol,2,4,5-
7782447
56382
608935
--
7723140
--
--
7783064
--
--
95943
--
95954
WARMWATER AND COLD WATER MATRIX - SEE DOCUMENT N
SALTWATER - SEE DOCUMENT
0.065 J
0.013 j
6.5 -9F
6.5 - 8.5 F,K
0.1 F,K
1.4E
5-9
1.5E
See EPA's Ecoregional criteria for Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Chlorophyll a and
Water Clarity (Secchi depth for lakes; turbidity for streams and rivers) (& Level III
Ecoregional criteria)
250,000 A
NARRATIVE STATEMENT - SEE DOCUMENT F
2.0 F
2.0 F
NARRATIVE STATEMENT- SEE DOCUMENT
SPECIES DEPENDENT CRITERIA - SEE DOCUMENT
0.46 Q
0.063 Q
0.37 Q
0.010 Q
0.97 E
1,800B,E
M
LIE
3,600 B,E
Gold Book
EPA-822R-00-012
Gold Book
65FR66443
Gold Book
Gold Book
P
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
Gold Book
65FR66443
EPA 822-F-00-008
65FR66443
25
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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) for values.
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 EPA's ql * or RfD, as contained in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as of May 17, 2002. 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); Chloropynfos (EPA 440/5-86-005).
H 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).
I This value for aluminum 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.
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 (ig/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
particulate 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 (ig 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.
26
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N U.S. EPA. 1986. Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen. EPA 440/5-86-003. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.
O This criterion for manganese is not based on toxic effects, but rather is intended to minimize objectionable qualities such as laundry stains and
objectionable tastes in beverages.
P Lakes and Reservoirs in Nutrient Ecoregion: II EPA 822-B-00-007, III EPA 822-B-01-008, IV EPA 822-B-01-009, V EPA 822-B-01-010, VI EPA 822-B-
00-008 , VII EPA 822-B-00-009, VIII EPA 822-B-01-015, IX EPA 822-B-00-011, XI EPA 822-B-00-012, XII EPA 822-B-00-013, XIII EPA 822-B-00-014,
XIV EPA 822-B-01-011; Rivers and Streams in Nutrient Ecoregion: I EPA 822-B-01-012, II EPA 822-B-OO-015, III EPA 822-B-OO-016, IV EPA 822-B-01 -
013, V EPA 822-B-01 -014, VI EPA 822-B-OO-017, VII EPA 822-B-OO-018, VIII EPA 822-B-01 -015, IX EPA 822-B-OO-019, X EPA 822-B-01 -016, XI
EPA 822-B-00-020, XII EPA 822-B-00-021, XIV EPA 822-B-00-022; and Wetlands in Nutrient Ecoregion XIII EPA 822-B-00-023.
Q EPA announced the availability of a draft updated tributyltin (TBT) document on August 7, 1997 (62FR42554). The Agency has reevaluated this document
and anticipates releasing an updated document for public comment in the near future.
27
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR ORGANOLEPTIC EFFECTS
Organoleptic Effect Criteria
Pollutant CAS Number (ug/L) FR Cite/Source
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Acenaphthene
Monochlorobenzene
3-Chlorophenol
4-Chlorophenol
2,3 -Dichlorophenol
2 , 5 -Dichlorophenol
2,6-Dichlorophenol
3 ,4-Dichlorophenol
2,4,5- Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichloropehnol
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
2 -Methyl-4 - Chlorophenol
3 -Methyl-4-Chlorophenol
3 -Methyl-6-Chlorophenol
2 -Chlorophenol
Copper
2,4-Dichlorophenol
2,4-Dimethylpehnol
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Nitrobenzene
83329
108907
-
106489
-
-
-
-
95954
88062
-
-
59507
-
95578
7440508
120832
105679
77474
98953
20
20
0.1
0.1
0.04
0.5
0.2
0.3
1
2
1
1,800
3,000
20
0.1
1,000
0.3
400
1
30
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
28
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Organoleptic Effect Criteria
Pollutant CAS Number (ug/L) FR Cite/Source
21
22
23
Pentachlorophenol
Phenol
Zinc
87865
108952
7440666
30
300
5,000
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 an 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).
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 California Toxics Rule. 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 are thus the Agency's 304(a) criteria.
29
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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. 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/waterscience/drinking/standards/dwstandards.pdf).
7. 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.
8. Gold Book
The "Gold Book" is Quality Criteria for Water: 1986. EPA 440/5-86-001.
9. Correction of Chemical Abstract Services Number
The Chemical Abstract Services number (CAS) for Bis(2-Chlorisoprpyl) Ether, has been revised in IRIS and in the table. The correct CAS number for this
chemical is 108-60-1. The previous CAS number for this pollutant was 39638-32-9.
10. Contaminants with Blanks
EPA has not calculated criteria for contaminants with blanks. However, permit authorities should address these contaminants in NPDES permit actions using
the States' existing narrative criteria for toxics.
11. Specific Chemical Calculations
A. Selenium
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 prevalent oxidation states in water, 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 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.
30
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Appendices:
Appendix A - Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals
Conversion Factor Conversion Factor Conversion Factor Conversion Factor
freshwater CMC freshwater CCC saltwater CMC saltwater CCC1
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium III
Chromium VI
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
Silver
Zinc
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
1.000
1.101672- [(In
hardness)(0.041838)]
0.860
0.962
0.960
1.46203-[(ln
hardness)(0.145712)]
0.85
0.997
--
--
0.986
1.000
0.994
--
0.993
0.83
0.951
0.85
0.990
0.998
0.85
0.946
1.000
0.994
--
0.993
0.83
0.951
0.85
0.990
0.998
--
0.946
31
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Appendix B - Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria That Are Hardness-Dependent
Chemical mA bA mc bc
Cadmium
Chromium III
Copper
Lead
Nickel
Silver
Zinc
1.0166
0.8190
0.9422
1.273
0.8460
1.72
0.8473
-3.924
3.7256
-1.700
-1.460
2.255
-6.59
0.884
0.7409
0.8190
0.8545
1.273
0.8460
-
0.8473
-4.719
0.6848
-1.702
-4.705
0.0584
-
0.884
Freshwater Conversion Factors (CF)
CMC
1.136672-[(ln
hardness)(0.041838)]
0.316
0.960
1.46203-[(ln
hardness)(0.145712)]
0.998
0.85
0.978
ccc
1.101672- [(In
hardness)(0.041838)]
0.860
0.960
1.46203-[(ln
hardness)(0.145712)]
0.997
-
0.986
Hardness-dependant metals' criteria may be calculated from the following:
CMC (dissolved) = exp{mA [ln(hardness)]+bA} (CF)
CCC (dissolved) = exp{mc [ln(hardness)]+bc} (CF)
32
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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 (acute criterion) calculated using the following equations.
Where salmonid fish are present:
0.275 39.0
CMC = +
Or where salmonid fish are not present:
0.411 58.4
CMC = +
1_l_l n7.204-pH 1 _i_ 1 npH-7.204
1 ~t~ 1U 1 ~t~ 1U
2 A 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 (chronic criterion) calculated using the following equations.
When fish early life stages are present:
0.0577 2.487
CCC = ( + ) • MIN (2.85, 1.45-10ao28-(25-T))
1 _|_ 1 Q7.688-pH 1 _|_ 1 npH-7.688
When fish early life stages are absent:
0.0577 2.487
CCC = ( + ) • 1.45 .ioa°28'(25-MAX(T'7))
1 _|_ 1 Q7.688-pH 1 _|_ 1 npH-7.688
2B. In addition, the highest four-day average within the 30-day period should not exceed 2.5 times the CCC.
33
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