Draft Human Health Recreational Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Cyanotoxins Published by EPA

EPA has just published and is now accepting comments on its draft human health recreational water quality criteria for the cyanotoxins microcystin and cylindrospermopsin.  These are the draft recommended concentrations of microcystins to protect human health while swimming or participating in other recreational activities in and on the water.  Once final, states can consider adopting these criteria into their water quality standards and using them for Clean Water Act purposes.  Alternatively, states can use these same values as the basis of swimming advisories for public notification purposes at beaches.  The draft criteria and/or swimming advisories are based on peer-reviewed, published science and methods. EPA is also providing information on the latest science on human health effects from exposure to cyanotoxins, discussion of other governmental guidelines for recreational waters, and information on incidents involving exposure of pets and other animals to cyanotoxins.  EPA is accepting comments on the draft criteria document for 60 days.
For more information and to view the draft criteria, visit EPA’s website.  For questions, please contact Jamie Strong at strong.jamie@epa.gov.