1981 Original signed by J. O'Riordan Assistant Deputy Minister Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks August 13, 1993. This report is one in a series that establishes ambient water quality criteria for British Columbia. It includes an overview which is followed by the main body of the report. Criteria for wildlife, irrigation and livestock use were not set in this document because pertinent information about the effects of PAHs on these water uses is lacking.
Aquatic life is the most sensitive water use affected by polycyclic hydrocarbons.
In particular, aquatic organisms are very vulnerable to the phototoxic effects of PAHs that accumulate in their tissues. The criteria for PAHs are summarized in Table 2. and Table 3 . A more detailed discussion of the criteria is presented in the main body of the report. The process for establishing water quality objectives is more fully outlined in Principles for Preparing Water Quality Objectives in British Columbia , copies of which are available from Water Quality Section of the Water Management Branch. Neither guidelines nor objectives which are derived from them, have any legal standing.