Revocation of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl Human Health Criteria in the Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System

摘要

As a result of the recent decision in AISI v. EPA, D.C. Cir. No. 95-1448 (decided June 6, 1997), EPA is today removing the human health criteria for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) promulgated for the final Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System (Guidance) in March 1997. EPA plans to propose replacement criteria in 1998. In the interim, EPA has calculated a Tier I value for PCBs for human health of 2.6 E-5 micrograms per liter (ug/L) for both drinking water and nondrinking water uses. EPA is recommending that States and Tribes either adopt a human health criterion for PCBs that is no less stringent than this value or use their Guidance based Tier I methodologies for human health, together with appropriate data, to derive an ambient value to be used in setting permit limits. EPA anticipates these Tier I values to be no less stringent than EPA's interim value of 2.6 E-5 ug/L (unless site-specific data are used). EPA is not removing the wildlife criterion for PCBs of 1.2 E-4 ug/L promulgated in March of 1997. EPA expects States and Tribes to adopt and submit PCB wildlife criteria consistent with this criterion.