[CPEO-MEF] Massachusetts finalizes 2 ppb perchlorate standard

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
For Release: July 28, 2006

Massachusetts' First-In-The-Nation Perchlorate Standards Take Effect Today
Drinking Water, Cleanup Standards of 2 ppb Are Set to Protect Public Health

Massachusetts today became the first state in the nation to promulgate 
drinking water and waste site cleanup standards for the chemical 
perchlorate, setting the standard at 2 parts per billion (ppb). The new 
regulations require most public water systems to regularly test for 
perchlorate.

The new standards are being adopted to protect public health, including 
sensitive populations such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants 
and individuals with low levels of thyroid hormones. Perchlorate has 
been found to interfere with thyroid function, which could lead to 
impaired human development and metabolism.

"Our goal from the beginning of this effort was to protect the health of 
our citizens, especially pregnant women and children, who could 
potentially be exposed to perchlorate in their drinking water," said 
Robert W. Golledge, Jr., commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of 
Environmental Protection. "Massachusetts' new standards ensure that the 
water is safe to drink, and the monitoring requirement protects water 
supplies into the future."

Perchlorate is a chemical that can be found in blasting agents, 
fireworks, military munitions and other manufacturing processes, and can 
be generated in small amounts within existing water treatment processes. 
No federal standards regulating perchlorate levels in drinking water 
currently exist.

Besides the requirement for regular testing, the new regulations also 
require parties responsible for perchlorate contamination to notify 
MassDEP of the contamination and conduct appropriate environmental 
assessment and cleanup, and for all drinking water supplies to contain 
no more than 2 ppb of perchlorate.

Since perchlorate was first detected in the aquifer under Bourne in 
2002, the chemical has been detected in 10 other public water systems 
across the state.

Full copies of the regulation and the response-to-comment document are 
available on the MassDEP web site at: 
http://mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/percinfo.htm

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management 
of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites 
and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

###

For the original press release, go to
http://mass.gov/dep/public/press/pchl0706.htm

--


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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