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What is the Gold Book?
Section 304 (a) (1) of the Clean Water Act requires the EPA to publish and periodically update ambient water quality criteria. Quality Criteria for Water, 1986 (EPA 440/5-86-001) -- issued with a gold-colored paper cover -- discusses the impact of almost 100 different pollutants (mostly chemicals) on the health and safety of humans and aquatic life.
Copies can be purchased from the National
Technical Information Service. 
The order number
is PB87-226759
Earlier editions of the Water Quality Criteria are:
- Red Book, 1976 (EPA 440/9-76-023), PB 263 943
- Blue Book, 1972 (TD 370 .E582)
- Green Book, 1968 (TD 370 .U497)