Environmental Protection Agency human health standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for protection of human health and welfare. These standards are defined in terms of concentration and hme span for a specific pollutant for example, the NAAQS for carbon monoxide is 9 ppmV for 8 hr, not to be exceeded more than once per year. For a state or local government to establish compliance with a National Ambient Air Quality Standard, measurements of the actual air quality must be made. To obtain these measurements, state and local governments have established stationary monitoring networks with instrumentation complying with federal specifications, as discussed in Chapter 14. The results of these measurements determine whether a given location is violating the air quality standard. 

Recently, much emphasis has been put on the harmful effects of small particles, i.e., particulate matter (PM), on human health. A number of standards have been established to characterize the PM fractions in the air and their effects on human health. A widely used PM standard in force in both Europe and the United States is based on the mass concentration of particles with a diameter of 10 gm or less (PMjo). However, recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a new standard that is based on the aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 gm particles. This new standard emphasizes the significant impact of small particles on human health, especially on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. 4 ... 

The amount and level of contaminants or impurities in water for pharmaceutical purpose depend on its use. Since water is used in all industries and scientific work, international and national standard authorities have established water quality parameters for all types of applications. Health-related water standards are given by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) [2], the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [3], and the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards (ASTM) [4] in the United States and by pharmacopeial compendia when the aim is specifically related to water for pharmaceutical products for human and veterinary consumption. 

Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) Drinking water standards for various contaminants that are enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) that take into account the risks of human health effects and the costs of cleaning the water (Appendix E). The current MCL for arsenic is 10 pg E 1 (40 Code of Federal Regulations 141.62). 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency. 40 CFR, 160. Protection of Environment, Good Laboratory Practice Standards. 

Type A values are standards that if met are not anticipated to result in adverse environmental or human health effects. Exceedence of these standards does not necessarily lead to adverse environmental consequences because such standards tend by design to be conservative and precautionary. Examples of these are values such as the US Environmental Protection Agency s (USEPA s) ambient water quality criteria (USEPA 2000) or the UK soil guideline values (DEFRA and EA 2002). 

US Environmental Protection Agency (1994) Technical Background Document to Support Rulemaking Pursuant to the Clean Air Act C Section 112(g). Ranking of Pollutants with Respect to Hazard to Human Health. EPAB450/3-92-010. Research Triangle Park, NC Emissions Standards Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. 

EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1997c. Mercury Study Report to Congress. Volume VII Characterization of Human Health and Wildlife Risks from Mercury Exposure in the United States. EPA-452/R-97-009. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards and Office of Research and Development. 

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