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Perchlorate
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EPA is currently undertaking efforts to help the Agency determine if regulation of perchlorate in drinking water would represent a meaningful opportunity for reducing risks to human health. To support its decision, the Agency is gathering occurrence data at public water systems, evaluating the availability and cost of treatment technology and assuring that analytical methods are available to monitor for perchlorate in water.
EPA has established an official reference dose for perchlorate which is consistent with the recommended reference dose included in the National Academy of Science’s January 2005 report. A reference dose is a scientific estimate of a daily exposure level that is not expected to cause adverse health effects in humans. The reference dose will be used in EPA’s ongoing efforts to address perchlorate in drinking water. It is important to note that the reference dose in EPA’s draft assessment represents a preliminary estimate of a protective health level and is not a drinking water standard.
Additional information about perchlorate can also be found on the EPA Federal Facilities Page
Questions and Answers
What is perchlorate?
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made chemical. Most of the perchlorate manufactured in the United States is used as the primary ingredient of solid rocket propellant. Wastes from the manufacture and improper disposal of perchlorate-containing chemicals are increasingly being discovered in soil and water.
Does my water contain perchlorate?
There have been confirmed perchlorate releases in at least 25 states throughout the United States. EPA, other federal agencies, states, water suppliers and industry are working to address perchlorate contamination through monitoring for perchlorate in drinking water and source water and developing treatment technologies that can remove perchlorate from drinking water.
How is perchlorate removed from water?
Several types of treatment systems designed to reduce perchlorate concentrations are operating around the United States, reducing perchlorate to below the 4 ppb quantitation level. Biological treatment and ion (anion) exchange systems are among the technologies that are being used, with additional treatment technologies under development.