What are EPAs drinking water regulations for heptachlor?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine the level of contaminants in drinking water at which no adverse health effects are likely to occur. These non-enforceable health goals, based solely on possible health risks and exposure over a lifetime with an adequate margin of safety, are called maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG). Contaminants are any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substances or matter in water. The MCLG for heptachlor is zero. EPA has set this level of protection based on the best available science to prevent potential health problems. EPA has set an enforceable regulation for heptachlor, called a maximum contaminant level (MCL), at 0.0004 mg/L or 400 ppt. MCLs are set as close to the health goals as possible, considering cost, benefits and the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies. The Phase II Rule, the regulation for heptachlor, became effe
