# Nat ional Recommended

Water Q uality Criteria

View this document online at http://w ater .epa.gov/ scitech / swguidance/standards/current / Envi

A ge United States Office of Water

ronmental Protection

ncy Office of Science and Technology

(4304T) 200 9NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 1 

# Priority Pollutants

Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1

(acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1

(chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1

(acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1

(chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

1 Antimony 7440360 5.6

B 640

B

2 65 FR 66443

Arsenic 7440382 340

A,D,K 150

A,D,K 69

A,D,bb 36

A,D,bb 0.018

C,M,S 0.14

C,M,S 65 FR 31682

57 FR 60848

3 Beryllium 7440417 Z

4 65 FR 31682

Cadmium 7440439 2.0

D,E,K,bb 0.25

D,E,K,bb 40

D,bb 8.8

D,bb Z EPA 822 R

- 01

- 001

65 FR 31682

5a Chromium (III) 16065831 570

D,E,K 74

D,E,K Z Total EPA 820 B

- 96

- 001

65 FR 31682

5b Chromium (VI) 18540299 16

D,K 11

D,K 1,100

D,bb 50

D,bb Z Total

6 65 FR 31682

Copper 7440508 Freshwate r criteria

calculated using the

BL M mm

- See

Document

(epa.gov/waterscience/c

riteria/copper/) 4.8

D,cc,ff 3.1

D,cc,ff 1 ,300

U EPA

- 822



## - R

- 07

- 001

65 FR 31682

72 FR 7983

7 Lead 7439921 65

D,E,bb,gg 2.5

D,E,bb,gg 210

D,bb 8.1

D,bb

8a 65 FR 31682

8b Mercury

Methylmercury 7439976

22 967926 1.4

D,K,hh 0.77

D,K,hh 1.8

D,ee,hh 0.94

D,ee,hh

0.3 mg/kg

J 62 FR 42160

EPA 823 R

- 01

- 001

9 Nickel 7440020 470

D,E,K 52

D,E,K 74

D,bb 8.2

D,bb 610

B 4,600

B

10 65 FR 31682

Selenium 7782492 L,R,T 5.0

T 290

D,bb,dd 71

D,bb,d d 170

Z 4200 62 FR 42160

65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 2 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

11 Silver 7440224 3.2

D,E,G 1.9

D,G

12 65 FR 31682

Thallium 7440280 0.24 0.47

13 68 FR 75510

Zinc 7440666 120

D,E,K 120

D,E,K 90

D,bb 81

D,bb 7,400

U 26,000

U 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

14 Cyanide 57125 22

K,Q 5.2

K,Q 1

Q,bb 1

Q,bb 140

jj 140

jj EPA 820 B

- 96 001

57 FR 60848

68 FR 75510

15 Asbestos 1332214 7 million

fibers/L

I 57 FR 60848

16 2,3,7,8

- TCDD (Dioxin) 1746016 5.0E

- 9

C 5.1E

- 9

C

17 65 FR 66443

Acrolein 107028 3ug/L 3ug/L 6

ll 9

ll 74 FR 27535

74 FR 46587

18 Acrylonitrile 107131 0.051

B,C 0.25

B,C 65 FR 66443

19 Benzene 71432 2.2

B,C 51

B,C IRIS 01/19/00

65 FR 66443

20 Bromoform 75252 4.3

B,C 140

B,C 65 FR 66443

21 Carbon Tetrachloride 56235 0.23

B,C 1.6

B,C 65 FR 66443

22 Chlorobenzene 108907 130

Z,U 1,600

U 68 FR 75510

23 Chlorodibromomethane 124481 0.40

B,C 13

B,C 65 FR 66443

24 Chloroethane 75003

25 2

- Chloroethylvinyl Ether 11 0758

26 Chloroform 67663 5.7

C,P 470

C,P 62 FR 42160NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 3 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

27 Dichlorobromomethane 75274 0.55

B,C 17

B,C

28 65 FR 66443

1,1

- Dichloroethane 75343

29 1,2

- Dichloroethane 107062 0.38

B,C 37

B,C

30 65 FR 66443

1,1

- Dich loroethylene 75354 330 7,100

31 68 FR 75510

1,2

- Dichloropropane 78875 0.50

B,C 15

B,C

32 65 FR 66443

1,3

- Dichloropropene 542756 0.34

C 21

C

33 68 FR 75510

Ethylbenzene 100414 530 2,100

34 68 FR 75510

Methyl Bromide 74839 47

B 1,500

B

35 65 FR 66443

Methyl Chloride 74873

36 65 FR 31682

Methylene Chloride 75092 4.6

B,C 590

B,C

37 65 FR 66443

1,1,2,2

- Tetrachloroet hane 79345 0.17

B,C 4.0

B,C

38 65 FR 66443

Tetrachloroethylene 127184 0.69

C 3.3

C

39 65 FR 66443

Toluene 108883 1,300 Z 15,000

40 68 FR 75510

1,2

- Trans

- Dichloroethylene 156605 140 Z 10,000

41 68 FR 75510

1,1,1

- Trichloroethane 71556 Z

42 65 FR 31682

1,1,2

- Trichloroethane 79005 0.59

B,C 16

B,C

43 65 FR 66443

Trichloroethylene 79016 2.5

C 30

C

44 65 FR 66443

Viny l Chloride 75014 0.025

C,kk 2.4

C,kk

45 68 FR 75510

2

- Chlorophenol 95578 81

B,U 150

B,U 65 FR 66443NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 4 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

46 2,4

- Dichlorophenol 120832 77

B,U 290

B,U

47 65 FR 66443

2,4

- Dimethylphenol 105679 380

B 850 B,U

48 65 FR 66443

2

- Methyl

- 4,6 Dinitrophenol 534521 13 280

49 65 FR 66443

2,4

- Dinitrophenol 51285 69 B 5,300 B

50 65 FR 66443

2

- Nitrophenol 88755

51 4

- Nitrophenol 100027

52 3

- Methyl

- 4

- Chlorophenol 59507 U U

53 Pentachlorophenol 87865 1 9 F,K 15

F,K 13 bb 7.9

bb 0.27

B,C 3.0

B,C,H

54 65 FR 31682

Phenol 108952 10,000

ll,U 860,000

ll,U

55 74 FR 27535

2,4,6

- Trichlorophenol 88062 1.4

B,C 2.4

B,C,U

56 65 FR 66443

Acenaphthene 83329 670

B,U 990

B,U

57 65 FR 66443

Acenaphthylene 208968

58 65 FR 66443

Anthracene 120127 8,300

B 40,000 B

59 65 FR 66443

Benzidine 92875 0.000086

B,C 0.00020

B,C

60 65 FR 66443

Benzo(a) Anthracene 56553 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C

61 65 FR 66443

Benzo(a) Pyrene 50328 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C

62 65 FR 66443

Benzo(b) Fluoranthene 205992 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C

63 65 FR 66443

Benzo(ghi) Perylene 191242

64 65 FR 66443

Benzo(k) Fluoranthene 207089 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C 65 FR 66443NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 5 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

65 Bis(2

- Chloroethoxy)

Methane 111911

66 Bis(2

- Chloroethyl) E ther 111444 0.030

B,C 0.53

B,C

67 65 FR 66443

Bis(2

- Chloroisopropyl)

Ether 108601 1,400

B 65,000

B

68 65 FR 66443

Bis(2

- Ethylhexyl)

Phthalate X 117817 1.2

B,C 2.2

B,C

69 65 FR 66443

4

- Bromophenyl Phenyl

Ether 101553

70 Butylbenzyl Phthalate W 85687 1,500

B 1,900

B

71 65 FR 66443

2

- Chloronaphthalene 91587 1,000

B 1,600

B

72 65 FR 66443

4

- Chlorophenyl Phenyl

Ether 7005723

73 Chrysene 218019 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C

74 65 FR 66443

Dibenzo(a,h)Anthracene 53703 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C

75 65 FR 66443

1,2

- Dichlorobenzene 95501 4 20 1,300

76 68 FR 75510

1,3

- Dichlorobenzene 541731 320 960

77 65 FR 66443

1,4

- Dichlorobenzene 106467 63 190

78 68 FR 75510

3,3'

- Dichlorobenzidine 91941 0.021

B,C 0.028

B,C

79 65 FR 66443

Diethyl Phthalate W 84662 17,000

B 44,000

B

80 65 FR 66443

Dimethyl Phthalate W 131113 270,000 1,100,000

81 65 FR 66443

Di

- n

- Butyl Phthalate W 84742 2,000

B 4,500

B

82 65 FR 66443

2, 4

- Dinitrotoluene 121142 0.11

C 3.4

C

83 65 FR 66443

2,6

- Dinitrotoluene 606202NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 6 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

84 Di

- n

- Octyl Phthalate 117840

85 1,2

- Diphenylhydrazine 12266 7 0.036

B,C 0.20

B,C

86 65 FR 66443

Fluoranthene 206440 130

B 140

B

87 65 FR 66443

Fluorene 86737 1,100

B 5,300

B

88 65 FR 66443

Hexachlorobenzene 118741 0.00028

B,C 0.00029

B,C

89 65 FR 66443

Hexachlorobutadiene 87683 0.44

B,C 18

B,C

90 65 FR 66443

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 77474 40

U 1,100

U

91 68 FR 75510

Hexachloroethane 67721 1.4

B,C 3.3

B,C

92 65 FR 66 443

Ideno(1,2,3

- cd)Pyrene 193395 0.0038

B,C 0.018

B,C

93 65 FR 66443

Isophorone 78591 35

B,C 960

B,C

94 65 FR 66443

Naphthalene 91203

95 Nitrobenzene 98953 17

B 690

B,H,U

96 65 FR 66443

N

- Nitrosodimethylamine 62759 0.00069

B,C 3.0

B,C

97 65 FR 66443

N

- Nitrosodi

- n

- Propylamine 621647 0.0050

B,C 0.51

B,C

98 65 FR 66443

N

- Nitrosodiphenylamine 86306 3.3

B,C 6.0

B,C

99 65 FR 66443

Phenanthrene 85018

100 Pyrene 129000 8 30

B 4,000

B

101 65 FR 66443

1,2,4

- Trichlorobenzene 120821 35 70 68 FR 7551 0NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 7 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

102 Aldrin 309002 3.0

G 1.3

G 0.000049

B,C 0.000050

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

103 alpha

- BHC 319846 0.0026

B,C 0.0049

B,C

104 65 FR 66443

beta

- BHC 319857 0.0091

B,C 0.017

B,C

105 65 FR 66443

gamma

- BHC (Lindane) 58899 0.95

K 0.16 G 0.98 1.8 65 FR 31682

68 FR 75510

106 delta

- BHC 319868

107 Chlordane 57749 2.4

G 0.0043

G,aa 0.09

G 0.004

G,aa 0.00080

B,C 0.00081

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

108 4,4'

- DDT 50293 1.1

G,ii 0.001

G,aa,ii 0.13

G,ii 0.001

G,aa,ii 0.00022

B,C 0.00022

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

109 4,4'

- DDE 72559 0.00022

B,C 0.00022

B,C

110 65 FR 66443

4,4'

- DDD 72548 0.00031

B,C 0.00031

B,C

111 65 FR 66443

Dieldrin 60571 0.24

K 0.056

K,O 0.71

G 0.0019

G,aa 0.000052

B,C 0.000054

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

112 alpha

- End osulfan 959988 0.22

G,Y 0.056

G,Y 0.034

G,Y 0.0087

G,Y 62

B 89

B 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

113 beta

- Endosulfan 33213659 0.22

G,Y 0.056

G,Y 0.034

G,Y 0.0087

G,Y 62

B 89

B 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

114 Endosulfan Sulfate 1031078 62

B 89

B

115 65 FR 66443

Endrin 72208 0.086

K 0.036

K,O 0.037

G 0.00 23

G,aa 0.059 0.060 65 FR 31682

68 FR 75510

116 Endrin Aldehyde 7421934 0. 29

B 0.30

B,H 6 5 FR 66443

117 Heptachlor 76448 0.52

G 0.0038

G,aa 0.053

G 0.0036

G,aa 0.000079

B,C 0.000079

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 8 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) CMC 1 (acute)

(μg/L) CCC 1 (chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organism

Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

118 Heptachlor Epoxide 1024573 0.52

G,V 0.0038

G,V,aa 0.053

G,V 0.0036

G,V,aa 0.000039

B,C 0.000039

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

119 Polychlorinated Biphenyls

(PCBs) 0.014

N,aa 0.03

N,aa 0.000064

B,C,N 0.000064

B,C,N 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443

120 Toxa phene 8001352 0.73 0.0002

aa 0.21 0.0002

aa 0.00028

B,C 0.00028

B,C 65 FR 31682

65 FR 66443



## 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 t oxicities are additive. In the arsenic criteria document (PDF) (74 pp., 3.2 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 84

- 033,

January 1985), Species Mean Acute Values are given for both arsenic (II I) and arsenic (V) for five species and the ratios of the SMAVs for each species range

from 0.6 to

1.7. 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 o f arsenic to aquatic

organisms are additive.

B This criterion has been revised to reflect The Environmental Protection Agency's q1 * 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 documen t was retained in each

case.

C This criterion is based on carcino genicity of 10 - 6 risk. Alternate risk levels may be obtained by moving the decimal point (e.g., for a risk level of 10 - 5

D Freshwater and saltwater criteria for metals are expre ssed 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 mu ltiplying it by a conversion facto r

(CF). The term "Conversion Factor" (CF) represents the recommended conversion factor for converting a metal criterion express ed 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 " , move

the decimal point in the recommended criterion one place to the right).

Office of Water Policy and Technical

Guidance on Interpretation and Implementation of Aquatic Life Metals Criteria (PDF) ," (49 pp., 3MB) October 1, 1993, by Martha G. Prothro, Acting As sistant

Administrator for Water, available from the Water Resource center and 40CFR§131.36(b)(1). Conversion Factors applied in the table can be found in

Appendix A to the Preamble

- Conversion Factors for Dissolved Metals.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 9 E The freshwater criterion for this metal is expressed as a function of hardness (mg/L) in the water column. The value given he re corresponds to a hardness

of 100 mg/L. Criteria values for other hardness may be calculated from the follo wing: CMC (dissolved) = exp{m

A [ln(hardness)]+ b

A } (CF), or CCC

(dissolved) = exp{m

C [ln (hardness)]+ b

C

and the parameters specified in Appendix B

- Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria That Are Hardness

- Dependent. } (CF)

F Fresh water aquatic life values for pentachlorophenol are expressed as a function of pH, and are calculated as follows: CMC = exp(1 .005(pH)

- 4.869); CCC =

exp(1.005(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 (PDF) (153 pp., 7.3

MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 019), Chlordane (PDF) (68 pp., 3.1 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 027), DDT (PDF) (175 pp., 8.3 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 038), Endosulfan (PDF) (155 pp., 7.3

MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 046), Endrin (PDF) (103 pp., 4.6 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 047), Heptachlor (PDF) (114 pp., 5.4 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 052), Hexachlorocyclohexane

(PDF) (109 pp., 4.8 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 054), Silver (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 071). The Minimum Data Requirements and derivation procedures were different in the 1980

G uidelines than in the 1985 Guidelines (PDF) (104 pp., 3.3 MB) . For example, a "CMC" derived using the 1980 Guidelines was derived to be used as an

instantaneous maximum. If assess ment 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 thoug h

the results of such a calcu lation 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 ra te 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

L The CMC = 1/[(f1/CMC1) + (f2/CMC2)] where f1 and f2 are the fractions of total selenium that are treated as selenite and sele nate, respectively, and

CMC1 and CMC2 are 185.9 g/l and 12.82 g/l, r espectively. , (EPA 820

- B

- 96

- 001, September 1996). This value was derived using the GLI Guide lines (60 FR 15393

- 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.

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 c onsider 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 W ater Regulations : Stage 2

Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) is completed, since public comment on the relative source contr ibution (RSC) for chloroform is

anticipated.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 10 Q This recommended water quality criterion is expressed as g free cyanide ( as CN)/L.

R This value for selenium was announced ( 61 FR 58444

- 58449 , November 14, 1996) as a proposed GLI 303(c) aquatic life criterion. EPA is currently

working on this criterion a nd 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 re commended water quality criterion for selenium is expressed in terms of total recoverable metal in the water column. It is sc ientifically 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 t hat 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 es timate 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 suffici ent 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 s tringent 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 o f the following documents: Aldrin/Dieldrin (PDF)

(153 pp., 7.3 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 019), Chlordane (PDF) (68 pp., 3.1 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80 027), DDT (PDF) (175 pp., 8.3 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 038), Endrin (PDF) (103 pp.,

4.6 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 047), Heptachlor (PDF)

bb This water quality criterion is based on a 304(a) aquatic life criterion that was derived using the (114 pp., 5.4 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 052), Polychlorinated biphenyls (EPA 440/5

- 80

- 068), Toxaphene (EPA 440/5

- 86

- 006). This CCC is currently based on the Final Residue Value (FRV) procedure. Since the publication of the Great Lakes Aquati c Life Criteria Guideli nes in 1995

(60 FR 15393

- 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.

1985 Guidelines (PDF) (104 pp., 3.3 MB) ( Guideli nes 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 (PDF) (74 pp., 3.2 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 84

- 033), Cadmium (EPA 822

- R

- 01

- 001), Chromium (EPA 440/5

- 84

- 029), Copper

(PDF) (150 pp., 6.2 MB) (EPA 440/5

- 84

- 031), Cyanide (PDF) (67 pp., 2.7 MB) (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).

cc When the concentration of dissolved org anic carbon is elevated, copper is substantially less toxic and use of Water

- Effect Ratios might be appropriate.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 11 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 e xceeds 5.0 g/L in salt water

because the saltwater CCC does not take into account uptake via the food chain.

ee This rec ommended water quality criterion was derived on page 43 of the mercury criteria document (PDF) (144 pp., 6.4 MB) (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 (60 FR 15393

- 15399, March 23, 1995), the Agency no lo nger 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 ( 60 FR 22228

- 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 mercu ry. If a substantial portion of

the mercury in the water column is meth ylmercury, 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 cha in 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).

jj This recommended water quality criterion i s expressed as total cyanide, even though the IRIS RFD we used to derive the criterion is based on free cyanide.

The multiple forms of cyanide that are present in ambient water have significant differences in toxicity due to their differi ng abilities to li berate the CN

moiety. Some complex cyanides require even more extreme conditions than refluxing with sulfuric acid to liberate the CN

- moiety. Thus, these complex

cyanides are expected to have little or no 'bioavailability' to humans. If a substantial fract ion of the cyanide present in a water body is present in a complexed

form (e.g., Fe

4 [Fe(CN)

6 ]

3

kk This recommended water quality criterion was derived using the cancer slope factor of 1.4 (LMS exposure from birth ). ), this criterion may be over conservative.

ll This criterion has been revised to reflect the Environmental Protection Agency's cancer slope factor (CSF) or reference dose (RfD), as contained in the

Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as of (Final FR Notice J une 10, 2009). The fish tissue bioconcentration factor (BCF) from the 1980 Ambient Water

Quality Criteria document was retained in each case.

mm The available toxicity data, when evaluated using the procedu res described in the “Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for

the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses” indicate that freshwater aquatic life should be protected if the 24

- hour average and four

- day average

concentrat ions do not respectively exceed the acute and chronic criteria concentrations calcula ted by the Biotic Ligand Model.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 12 

# Non P riority Pollutants

Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Non Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC

(acut

e)

(μg/L

) CCC

(chronic)

(μg/L) CMC

(acute)

(μg/L) CCC

(chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organis

m Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

1 Alkalinity

— 20000

F Gold Book

2 Aluminum pH 6.5

– 9.0 7429905 750

G,I 87

G,I,L 53 FR 33178

3 Ammoni a 7664417 FRESHWATER CRITERIA ARE pH, Temperature and Life

- stage DEPENDENT

— SEE DOCUMENT D

SALTWATER CRITERIA ARE pH AND TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT EPA 822

- R 99

- 014

EPA 440

- 5 88

- 004

4 Aesthetic Qualities

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT Gold Book

5 Bacteria

— FOR PRIMARY RECREATION AND SHELLFISH USES

— SEE DOCUMENT Gold Book

6 Bariu m 7440393 1,000

A Gold Book

7 Boron

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT Gold Book

8 Chloride 16887006 86000

0

G 230000

G 53 FR 19028

9 Chlorine 7782505 19 11 13 7.5 C Gold Book

10 Chlorophenoxy Herbicide

(2,4,5,

- TP) 93721 10

A Gold Book

11 Chlorophenoxy Herbicide

(2,4

- D) 94757 100

A,C Gold Book

12 Chloropyrifos 2921882 0.083

G 0.041

G 0.011

G 0.0056

G Gold Book

13 Color

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT F Gold Book

14 Demeton 8065483 0.1 F 0.1 F Gold Book

15 Ether, Bis( Chloromethyl) 542881 0.00010

E,H 0.00029

E,H

16 65 FR 66443

Gases, Total Dissolved

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DO CUMENT F Gold BookNATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 13 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Non Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC

(acut

e)

(μg/L

) CCC

(chronic)

(μg/L) CMC

(acute)

(μg/L) CCC

(chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organis

m Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

17 Guthion 86500 0.01

F 0.01

F Gold Book

18 Hardness

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT Gold Book

19 Hexachlorocyclo

- hexane

Technical 608731 0.0123

H 0.0414

H EPA 440/5

- 80

- 054

20 Iron 7439896 1000

F 300

A Gold Book

21 Malathion 121755 0.1

F 0.1

F Gold Book

22 Manganese 7439965 50

A,O 100

A Gold Book

23 Methoxychlor 72435 0.03

F 0.03

F 100

A,C Gold Book

24 Mirex 2385855 0.001

F 0.001

F Gold Book

25 Nitrates 14797558 10,000

A Gold Book

26 Nitrosamines

— 0.0008 1.24 Gold Book

27 Dinitrophenols 25550587 69 5300

28 65 FR 66443

Nonylphenol 84852153 28ug/L 28ug/L 7ug/L 7ug/L

29 71 FR 9337

Nitrosodibutylamine, N 924 163 0.0063

A,H 0.22

A,H

30 65 FR 66443

Nitrosodiethylamine, N 55185 0.0008

A,H 1.24

A,H Gold Book

31 Nitrosopyrrolidine, N 930552 0.016

H 34

H

32 65 FR 66443

Oil and Grease

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT F Gold Book

33 Oxygen, Dissolved

Freshwater Oxygen,

Dissolved Saltwater 7782447 WARMWATER AND COLDWATER MATRIX

— SEE DOCUMENT N

SALTWATER

— SEE DOCUMENT Gold Book

EPA 822

- R 00

- 012

34 Diazinon 333415 0.17ug/L 0.17ug/L 0.82ug/L 0.82ug/L 71 FR 9336NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 14 Freshwater Saltwater Human Health for the

consumption of

Non Priority Pollutant CAS

Number CMC

(acut

e)

(μg/L

) CCC

(chronic)

(μg/L) CMC

(acute)

(μg/L) CCC

(chronic)

(μg/L) Water +

Organism

(μg/L) Organis

m Only

(μg/L) FR Cite / Source

35 Parathion 56382 0.065

J 0.013

J Gold Book

36 Pentachlorobenzene 608935 1.4

E 1.5

E

37 65 FR 66443

pH

— 6.5

– 9

F 6.5

– 8.5

F,K 5

– 9 Gold Book

38 Phosphorus Elemental 7723140 0.1

F,K Gold Book

39 Nutrients

— See EPA's Ecoregional crite ria for Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Chlorophyll

a and Water Clarity (Secchi depth for lakes; turbidity for streams and rivers) (&

Level III Ecoregional criteria) P

40 Solids Dissolved and

Salinity — 250,000

A Gold Book

41 Solids Suspended and

Turbidity — NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT F Gold Book

42 Sulfide

- Hydrogen Sulfide 7783064 2.0

F 2.0

F Gold Book

43 Tainting Substances

— NARRATIVE STATEMENT

— SEE DOCUMENT Gold Book

44 Temperature

— SPECIES DEPENDENT CRITERIA

— SEE DOC UMENT M Gold Book

45 Tetrachlorobenzene,1,2,4,5 95943 0.97

E 1.1

E

46 65 FR 66443

Tributyltin (TBT)

— 0.46

Q 0.072

Q 0.42

Q 0.0074

Q

47 69 FR 342

Trichlorophenol,2,4,5 95954 1,800

B,E 3,600

B,E



## Footnotes 65 FR 66443

A This human health criterion is the same as originally published in the Red Book (EPA 440/9

- 76

- 023, July, 1976) which predates the 1980 methodology and

did not utilize the fish ingestion B CF approach. This same criterion value is now published in the Gold Book ( Quality Criteria for Water: 1986. EPA 440/5

- 86

- 001 ).

B The organoleptic effect criterion is more stringent than the value presented in the non priority pollutants table.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 15 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 q1* or RfD, as contained in the Int egrated 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); Chloropyrifos (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 val ue was derived using the GLI Guidelines (60 FR 15393

- 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 conc erning this criterion was

aff ected by any considerations that are specific to the Great Lakes.

K According to page 181 of the Red Book (EPA 440/9

- 76

- 023, July, 1976) : For open ocean waters where the depth is su bstantially 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 o f 6.5 to 8.5. For shallow, highly

productive coastal and estuarine areas where naturally occu rring 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 mig ht be appropriate.

The value of 87 μg/l 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) indi cate 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.

In tests with the brook trout at low pH and hardness, effects increased with increasing concentrations of to tal 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 isNATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR NON PRIORITY POLLUTANTS



## 16 primarily aluminum hydroxide particles. In surface wate rs, however, the total recoverable procedure might measure aluminum associated with clay particles,

which might be less toxic than aluminum associated with aluminum hydroxide.

EPA is aware of field data indicating that many high quality waters in the U.S. contain more than 87 g 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 Fre shwater Fish: Protocol and Procedures. EPA 600/3

- 77

- 061. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.

N U.S. EPA. 1986. Ambient Water Qua lity 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 a s 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

- 01 0, 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

- 00

- 015, III EPA 822

- B

- 00

- 016, IV EPA 822

- B

- 01

- 013, V EPA 822

- B

01

- 014, VI EPA 82 2

- B

- 00

- 017, VII EPA 822

- B

- 00

- 018, VIII EPA 822

- B

- 01

- 015, IX EPA 822

- B

- 00

- 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 (PDF) (77 pp., 257 K) XIII EPA 822

- B

- 00

- 023.

Q EPA announced the availability of a draft updated tributyltin (TBT) docume nt on August 7, 1997 (62 FR 42554). The Agency has reevaluated this document

and anticipates releasing an updated document for public comment in the near future.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR ORGANOLEPTIC EFFECTS



## 17 

# Organoleptic Effects (e.g., taste and odor)

Pollutant CAS Number Organoleptic Effect Criteria

(μg/L) FR Cite/ S ource

1 Acenaphthene 83329 20 Gold Book

2 Monochlorobenzene 108907 20 Gold Book

3 3

- Chlorophenol

— 0.1 Gold Book

4 4

- Chlorophenol 106489 0.1 Gold Book

5 2,3

- Dichlorophenol

— 0.04 Gold Book

6 2,5

- Dichlorophenol

— 0.5 Gold Book

7 2,6

- Dichlorophenol

— 0.2 Gold Book

8 3,4

- Dichlorophenol

— 0.3 Gold Book

9 2,4,5

- Trichlorophenol 95954 1 Gold Book

10 2,4,6

- Trichlorophenol 88062 2 Go ld Book

11 2,3,4,6

- Tetrachlorophenol

— 1 Gold Book

12 2

- Methyl

- 4

- Chlorophenol

— 1800 Gold Book

13 3

- Methyl

- 4

- Chlorophenol 59507 3000 Gold Book

14 3

- Methyl

- 6

- Chlorophenol

— 20 Gold Book

15 2

- Chlorophenol 95578 0.1 Gold Book

16 Cop per 7440508 1000 Gold Book

17 2,4

- Dichlorophenol 120832 0.3 Gold Book

18 2,4

- Dimethylphenol 105679 400 Gold Book

19 Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 77474 1 Gold Book

20 Nitrobenzene 98953 30 Gold Book

21 Pentachlorophenol 87865 30 Gol d Book

22 Phenol 108952 300 Gold Book

23 Zinc 7440666 5000 45 FR79341



## N otes

1. These criteria are based on organoleptic (taste and odor) effects. Because of variations in chemical nomenclature systems, this listing of pollutants does not

duplica te 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



## 18 

# Additional Notes

1. 

### Criteria Maximum Concentration and Criterion Continuous C oncentration

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 Con centration (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 a n unacceptable effect.

The CMC and CCC are just two of the six parts of an aquatic l ife 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 crite ria 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 n on

- 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 chemica l nomenclatu re

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 Ris k

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 recommend ed 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 purs uant 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) cr iteria.



### 5. Calculati on of Dissolved Metals Criteria

The 304(a) criteria for metals, shown as dissolved meta ls, 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/l 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. Inf ormation regard ing the

calculation of hardness dependent conversion factors are included in the footnotes.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA



## 19 6. Maximum Contaminant Levels

The compilation includes footnotes for pollutants with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) more stringent than the recommended water q uality

criteria in the compilation. MCLs for these pollutants are not included in the compilation, but can be found in the appropria te 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 online

.



### 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 n on

- 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 organolep tic 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 i n NPDES permit

actions using the States' existing narrative criteria for toxics.



### 11. Specific Chemical Calculations

Selenium

— Aquatic Life This compilation contains aquatic life criteria for selenium that are the same as those published in the propose d CT R. 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 pr evalent oxidation states in water, selenite

and selenate, present differing potentials for aquatic toxicity, as well as new data indicating that various forms of seleniu m are additive. The new

approach produces a different selenium acute criterion concentr ation, 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) cri teria for selenium will

be revised based on the f inal reassessment (63 FR 26186). 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.NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA



## 20 

# Appendices

Appendix A

— Con version Factors for Dissolved Metals

Metal Conversion Factor

freshwater CMC freshwater CCC saltwater

CMC saltwater

CCC 1

Arsenic 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000

Cadmium 1.136672

- [(ln hardness)

(0.041838)] 1.101672

- [(ln hardness)(0.041838)] 0.994 0.994

Chromium III 0.316 0.860

— —

Chromium VI 0.982 0.962 0.993 0.993

Copper 0.960 0.960 0.83 0.83

Lead 1.46203

- [(ln hardness)

(0.145712)] 1.46203

- [(ln hardness)(0.145712)] 0.951 0.951

Mercury 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85

Nickel 0.998 0.997 0.990 0.990

Selenium

— — 0.998 0.998

Silver 0.85

— 0.85

—

Zinc 0.978 0.986 0.946 0.946



# Appendix B

— Parameters for Calculating Freshwater Dissolved Metals Criteria That

Are Hardness

- Dependent

Chemical mA bA mC bC Freshwater Con version Factors (CF)

CMC CCC

Cadmium 1.0166

- 3.924 0.7409

- 4.719 1.136672

- [( l n hardness)(0.041838)] 1.101672

- [( ln hardness)(0.041838)]

Chromium

III 0.8190 3.7256 0.8190 0.6848 0.316 0.860

Copper 0.9422

- 1.700 0.8545

- 1.702 0.960 0.960

Lead 1.273

- 1.460 1.273

- 4.705 1.46203

- [( ln h ardness)(0.145712)] 1.46203

- [( ln hardness)(0.145712)]

Nickel 0.8460 2.255 0.8460 0.0584 0.998 0.997

Silver 1.72

- 6.59

— — 0.85

—

Zinc 0.8473 0.884 0.8473 0.884 0.978 0.986NATIONAL RECOMMENDED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA



## 21 H ardness

- dependant metals' criteria may be calculated from the following:

CMC (dissolved) = exp{m

A 

## [ ln (hardness)]+ b

A 

## } (CF)

CCC (dissolved) = exp{m

C 

## [ ln (hardness)]+ b

C 

## } (CF)



# 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:

CMC = (0.275/(1 + 10 7.204

- pH 

## )) + ( 39.0/(1 + 10 pH

- 7.204 

## ))

**•** Or where salmonid fish are not present:

CMC = (0.411/(1 + 10 7.204

- pH 

## )) + (58.4/(1 + 10 pH

- 7.204 

## ))

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 theaverage,

the CCC (chronic criterion) calculated using the following equations:

**•** When fish early life stages are present:

**•** CCC = ((0.0577/(1 + 10 7.688

- pH 

## )) + (2.487/(1 + 10 pH

- 7.688 

## )) ) x MIN (2.85, 1.45•10 0.028•(25

- T) 

## )

**•** When fish early life stages are absent:

**•** CCC = ((0.0577/(1 + 10 7.688

- pH 

## )) + (2.487/(1 + 10 pH

- 7.688 

## ))) x 1.45•10 0.028•(25

- MAX(T,7))



## B. In addition, the highest four

- day average within the 30

- day period should not exceed 2.5 times the CCC.