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FEDERAL ACTIVITIES
For the most
up-to-date information on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
activities related to regulating microbials and disinfection byproducts,
visit EPA's
Web site.
STATE OF
CALIFORNIA ACTIVITIES
The California
Department of Health Services (DHS) is in the process of finalizing
its Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. This information
will be posted on the DHS
Web site when available.
RESEARCH
A 1998 California
Department of Health Services (CDHS) study found that certain levels
of trihalomethanes in drinking water may increase a woman's chances
of having a miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The study claimed a weak link between a trihalomethane level of
75 ppb and above and an increased miscarriage rate. Despite public
pressure to drive the standard very low, EPA opted to leave the
standard at 80 ppb. EPA stated that the CDHS study was revealing
but required more research to confirm the findings.
EPA has a research
plan for studying Disinfection Byproducts. This research plan
was developed to describe research needed to support EPA's development
of drinking water regulations concerning disinfectants, disinfection
by-products (DBPs) and microbial pathogens, focusing on key scientific
and technical information needed. The research plan addresses research
needs in the areas of exposure, health effects, risk assessment
and risk management for both microbial pathogens and disinfection
by-products.
ACWA ACTIVITIES
ACWA has an
active Disinfection Byproducts Work Group. This work group is part
of the Water Quality Committee's Safe Drinking Water Subcommittee.
The work group has participated in every phase of the stakeholder
and rule making process, submitting comments and providing technical
input. If you would like more detailed information about ACWA's
Disinfection Byproducts work group,
e-mail ACWA's Regulatory Affairs Department.
Get more
information on research in the area of disinfection from:
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