Re: EPA - Water Quality Benchmarks for Aquatic Life
Re: EPA - Water Quality Benchmarks for Aquatic Life
Human Health Benchmarks for Chemicals in Water
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EPA, in coordination with the US Department of Health and Human Services, has developed benchmarks to assess potential human health risks from exposure to oil-contaminated water. These human health benchmarks are listed below.
To date, no chemicals have exceeded human health benchmarks. However, people should heed warnings from their local health officials regarding oil-impacted beaches and water. As an added safety precaution, if people see or smell oil in the water or beach area, they should avoid the oil-impacted area.
<table id="benchmarktable" class="table zebra" summary="THuman Health Benchmarks" width="100%"><thead> <tr class="tint"> <th colspan="5">
Human Health Benchmark Values by Chemical
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Human health benchmarks are based on potential cancer and non-cancer risks associated with exposure to oil-contaminated water in the Gulf. Where applicable, the benchmarks account for both skin contact and incidental ingestion of water by a child swimmer, assuming 90 hours of exposure. These benchmarks were developed by EPA in coordination with the US Department of Health and Human Services.
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See
http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/health-benchmarks.html for tables and reports.
