Appendix A to Subpart O of Part 141—Regulated Contaminants

Appendix A - Appendix A to Subpart O of Part 141—Regulated Contaminants

Contaminant (units)	Traditional MCL in mg/L	To convert for CCR, multiply by	MCL in CCR units	MCLG	Major sources in drinking water	Health effects language	Microbiological contaminants:							Total Coliform Bacteria †	MCL (systems that collect ≥40 samples/month) 5% of monthly samples are positive; (systems that collect <40 samples/month) 1 positive monthly sample		MCL (systems that collect ≥40 samples/month) 5% of monthly samples are positive; (systems that collect <40 samples/month) 1 positive monthly sample.	0	Naturally present in the environment	Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.	Total Coliform Bacteria ‡	TT		TT	N/A	Naturally present in the environment	Use language found in § 141.153(h)(7)(i)(A)	Fecal coliform and E. coli †	0		0	0	Human and animal fecal waste	Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.	E. coli ‡	Routine and repeat samples are total coliform-positive and either is E. coli-positive or system fails to take repeat samples following E. coli-positive routine sample or system fails to analyze total coliform-positive repeat sample for E. coli		Routine and repeat samples are total coliform-positive and either is E. coli-positive or system fails to take repeat samples following E. coli-positive routine sample or system fails to analyze total coliform-positive repeat sample for E. coli	0	Human and animal fecal waste	E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely-compromised immune systems.	Fecal Indicators (enterococci or coliphage)	TT		TT	N/A	Human and animal fecal waste	Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.	Total organic carbon (ppm)	TT		TT	N/A	Naturally present in the environment	Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection by products. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.	Turbidity (NTU)	TT		TT	N/A	Soil runoff	Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.	Radioactive contaminants:							Beta/photon emitters (mrem/yr)	4 mrem/yr	−	4	0	Decay of natural and man-made deposits	Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta particle and photon radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Alpha emitters (pCi/L)	15 pCi/L	−	15	0	Erosion of natural deposits	Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Combined radium (pCi/L)	5 pCi/L	−	5	0	Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who drink water containing radium-226 or -228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Uranium (pCi/L)	30 µg/L	−	30	0	Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer and kidney toxicity.	Inorganic contaminants:							Antimony (ppb)	.006	1000	6	6	Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder	Some people who drink water containing antimony well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood sugar.	Arsenic (ppb)	1 0.010	1000	1 10.	1 0	Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes	Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Asbestos (MFL)	7 MFL		7	7	Decay of asbestos cement water mains; Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who drink water containing asbestos in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.	Barium (ppm)	2		2	2	Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who drink water containing barium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience an increase in their blood pressure.	Beryllium (ppb)	.004	1000	4	4	Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; Discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries	Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in excess of the MCL over many years could develop intestinal lesions	Bromate (ppb)	.010	1000	10	0	By-product of drinking water disinfection	Some people who drink water of containing bromate in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Cadmium (ppb)	.005	1000	5	5	Corrosion of galvanized pipes; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from metal refineries; Runoff from waste batteries and paints	Some people who drink water containing cadmium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience kidney damage.	Chloramines (ppm)	MRDL = 4		MRDL = 4	MRDLG = 4	Water additive used to control microbes	Some people who use water containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort or anemia.	Chlorine (ppm)	MRDL = 4		MRDL = 4	MRDLG = 4	Water additive used to control microbes	Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort.	Chlorine dioxide (ppb)	MRDL = .8	1000	MRDL = 800	MRDLG = 800	Water additive used to control micorbes	Some infants and young children who drink water chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may experience anemia.	Chlorite (ppm)	1		1	0.8	By-product of drinking water disinfection	Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorite in excess of the MCL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in excess of the MCL. Some people may experience anemia.	Chromium (ppb)	.1	1000	100	100	Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who use water containing chromium well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience allergic dermatitis.	Copper (ppm)	AL = 1.3		AL = 1.3	1.3	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits	Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's disease should consult their personal doctor.	Cyanide (ppb)	.2	1000	200	200	Discharge from steel/metal factories; Discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories	Some people who drink water containing cyanide well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience nerve damage or problems with their thyroid.	Fluoride (ppm)	4		4	4	Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories	Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL or more may cause mottling of children's teeth, usually in children less than nine years old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of the teeth, and occurs only in developing teeth before they erupt from the gums.	Lead	AL = .015	1000	AL = 15	0	Corrosion of household plumbing systems, Erosion of natural deposits.	Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.	Mercury [inorganic] (ppb)	.002	1000	2	2	Erosion of natural deposits; Dis charge from refineries and factories; Runoff from landfills; Runoff from cropland	Some people who drink water containing inorganic mercury well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience kidney damage.	Nitrate (ppm)	10		10	10	Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sew age; Erosion of natural deposits	Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.	Nitrite (ppm)	1		1	1	Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sew age; Erosion of natural deposits	Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.	Selenium (ppb)	.05	1000	50	50	Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from mines	Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people who drink water containing selenium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair or fingernail losses, numbness in fingers or toes, or problems with their circulation.	Thallium (ppb)	.002	1000	2	0.5	Leaching from ore-processing sites; Discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories	Some people who drink water containing thallium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair loss, changes in their blood, or problems with their kidneys, intestines, or liver.	Synthetic organic contaminants including pesticides and herbicides:							2,4-D (ppb)	.07	1000	70	70	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops	Some people who drink water containing the weed killer 2,4-D well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys, liver, or adrenal glands.	2,4,5-TP [Silvex](ppb)	.05	1000	50	50	Residue of banned herbicide	Some people who drink water containing silvex in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver problems.	Acrylamide	TT		TT	0	Added to water during sewage/wastewater treatment	Some people who drink water containing high levels of acrylamide over a long period of time could have problems with their nervous system or blood, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Alachlor (ppb)	.002	1000	2	0	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops	Some people who drink water containing alachlor in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their eyes, liver, kidneys, or spleen, or experience anemia, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Atrazine (ppb)	.003	1000	3	3	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops	Some people who drink water containing atrazine well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their cardiovascular system or reproductive difficulties.	Benzo(a)pyrene [PAH] (nanograms/l)	.0002	1,000,000	200	0	Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines	Some people who drink water containing benzo(a)pyrene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Carbofuran (ppb)	.04	1000	40	40	Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa	Some people who drink water containing carbofuran in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their blood, or nervous or reproductive systems.	Chlordane (ppb)	.002	1000	2	0	Residue of banned termiticide	Some people who drink water containing chlordane in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Dalapon (ppb)	.2	1000	200	200	Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way	Some people who drink water containing dalapon well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience minor kidney changes.	Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (ppb)	.4	1000	400	400	Discharge from chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience toxic effects such as weight loss, liver enlargement or possible reproductive difficulties.	Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (ppb)	.006	1000	6	0	Discharge from rubber and chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate well in excess of the MCL over many years may have problems with their liver, or experience reproductive difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Dibromochloropropane (ppt)	.0002	1,000,000	200	0	Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards	Some people who drink water containing DBCP in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive problems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Dinoseb (ppb)	.007	1000	7	7	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables	Some people who drink water containing dinoseb well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties.	Diquat (ppb)	.02	1000	20	20	Runoff from herbicide use	Some people who drink water containing diquat in excess of the MCL over many years could get cataracts.	Dioxin [2,3,7,8-TCDD] (ppq)	.00000003	1,000,000, 000	30	0	Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; Discharge from chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing dioxin in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Endothall (ppb)	.1	1000	100	100	Runoff from herbicide use	Some people who drink water containing endothall in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their stomach or intestines.	Endrin (ppb)	.002	1000	2	2	Residue of banned insecticide	Some people who drink water containing endrin in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver problems.	Epichlorohydrin	TT		TT	0	Discharge from industrial chemical factories; An impurity of some water treatment chemicals	Some people who drink water containing high levels of epichlorohydrin over a long period of time could experience stomach problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Ethylene dibromide (ppt)	.00005	1,000,000	50	0	Discharge from petroleum refineries	Some people who drink water containing ethylene dibromide in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Glyphosate (ppb)	.7	1000	700	700	Runoff from herbicide use	Some people who drink water containing glyphosate in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys or reproductive difficulties.	Heptachlor (ppt)	.0004	1,000,000	400	0	Residue of banned pesticide	Some people who drink water containing heptachlor in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver damage and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Heptachlor epoxide (ppt)	.0002	1,000,000	200	0	Breakdown of heptachlor	Some people who drink water containing heptachlor epoxide in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver damage, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Hexachlorobenzene (ppb)	.001	1000	1	0	Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing hexachlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys, or adverse reproductive effects, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (ppb)	.05	1000	50	50	Discharge from chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing hexachlorocyclopentadiene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys or stomach.	Lindane (ppt)	.0002	1,000,000	200	200	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens	Some people who drink water containing lindane in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys or liver.	Methoxychlor (ppb)	.04	1000	40	40	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock	Some people who drink water containing methoxychlor in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties.	Oxamyl [Vydate] (ppb)	.2	1000	200	200	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes and tomatoes	Some people who drink water containing oxamyl in excess of the MCL over many years could experience slight nervous system effects.	PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] (ppt)	.0005	1,000,000	500	0	Runoff from landfills; Discharge of waste chemicals	Some people who drink water containing PCBs in excess of the MCL over many years could experience changes in their skin, problems with their thymus gland, immune deficiencies, or reproductive or nervous system difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Pentachlorophenol (ppb)	.001	1000	1	0	Discharge from wood preserving factories	Some people who drink water containing pentachlorophenol in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Picloram (ppb)	.5	1000	500	500	Herbicide runoff	Some people who drink water containing picloram in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.	Simazine (ppb)	.004	1000	4	4	Herbicide runoff	Some people who drink water containing simazine in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their blood.	Toxaphene (ppb)	.003	1000	3	0	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle	Some people who drink water containing toxaphene in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their kidneys, liver, or thyroid, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Volatile organic contaminants:							Benzene (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from factories; Leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills	Some people who drink water containing benzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience anemia or a decrease in blood platelets, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Carbon tetrachloride (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities	Some people who drink water containing carbon tetrachloride in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Chlorobenzene (ppb)	.1	1000	100	100	Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing chlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys.	o-Dichlorobenzene (ppb)	.6	1000	600	600	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing o-dichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory systems.	p-Dichlorobenzene (ppb)	.075	1000	75	75	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing p-dichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience anemia, damage to their liver, kidneys, or spleen, or changes in their blood.	1,2-Dichloroethane (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing 1,2-dichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	1,1-Dichloroethylene (ppb)	.007	1000	7	7	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing 1,1-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.	cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene (ppb)	.07	1000	70	70	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing cis-1,2-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.	trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (ppb)	.1	1000	100	100	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.	Dichloromethane (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from pharmaceutical and chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing dichloromethane in excess of the MCL over many years could have liver problems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	1,2-Dichloropropane (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing 1,2-dichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Ethylbenzene (ppb)	.7	1000	700	700	Discharge from petroleum refineries	Some people who drink water containing ethylbenzene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys.	Haloacetic Acids (HAA) (ppb)	.060	1000	60	N/A	By-product of drinking water disinfection	Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Styrene (ppb)	.1	1000	100	100	Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; Leaching from landfills	Some people who drink water containing styrene well in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory system.	Tetrachloroethylene (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from factories and dry cleaners	Some people who drink water containing tetrachloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (ppb)	.07	1000	70	70	Discharge from textile-finishing factories	Some people who drink water containing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience changes in their adrenal glands.	1,1,1-Trichloroethane (ppb)	.2	1000	200	200	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories	Some people who drink water containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, nervous system, or circulatory system.	1,1,2-Trichloroethane (ppb)	.005	1000	5	3	Discharge from industrial chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing 1,1,2-trichloroethane well in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver, kidneys, or immune systems.	Trichloroethylene (ppb)	.005	1000	5	0	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories	Some people who drink water containing trichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	TTHMs [Total trihalomethanes] (ppb)	0.10/.080	1000	100/80	N/A	By-product of drinking water disinfection	Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Toluene (ppm)	1		1	1	Discharge from petroleum factories	Some people who drink water containing toluene well in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their nervous system, kidneys, or liver.	Vinyl Chloride (ppb)	.002	1000	2	0	Leaching from PVC piping; Discharge from plastics factories	Some people who drink water containing vinyl chloride in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.	Xylenes (ppm)	10		10	10	Discharge from petroleum factories; Discharge from chemical factories	Some people who drink water containing xylenes in excess of the MCL over many years could experience damage to their nervous system.

† Until March 31, 2016.

‡ Beginning April 1, 2016.

1 These arsenic values are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the MCL is 0.05 mg/L and there is no MCLG.

Key:

AL = Action Level

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level

MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

MFL = million fibers per liter

MRDL = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

MRDLG = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal

mrem/year = millirems per year (a measure of radiation absorbed by the body)

N/A = Not Applicable

NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units (a measure of water clarity)

pCi/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)

ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/l)

ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (µg/l)

ppt = parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter

ppq = parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter

TT = Treatment Technique

[65 FR 26024, May 4, 2000, as amended at 65 FR 76749, Dec. 7, 2000; 66 FR 7064, Jan. 22, 2001; 67 FR 70855, Nov. 27, 2002; 67 FR 73011, Dec. 9, 2002; 68 FR 14506, Mar. 25, 2003; 71 FR 65652, Nov. 8, 2006; 78 FR 10349, Feb. 13, 2013; 86 FR 4309, Jan. 15, 2021]