Guidance on the Use of Benchmarks in Screening-Level Assessments
When conducting screening-level assessments, it is important to apply the most recent guidance on the use of Health-Based Screening Levels and Maximum Contaminant Levels. Screening-level assessments provide an initial perspective on the potential significance of detected contaminants to human health and help prioritize further investigations. The most recent guidance on the use of water-quality benchmarks in screening-level assessments is provided in SIR 2007-5106, which includes information on:
- Selection of benchmarks;
- Comparison of contaminant concentrations in water to benchmarks;
- Evaluation of the potential significance of contaminant occurrence to human health; and
- Limitations of screening-level assessments
Periodic updates to the guidance provided in SIR 2007-5106 will be posted on this website