Water Quality Problem: Organics

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  1. The following limits are established to maintain healthy aquatic life.
    Organic Maximum
    Concentration
    (mg/l)     		Reference
    Benzene 5.3 acute (1,2)
    Carbon tetrachloride 35.2 acute (1,2)
    Chlorobenzene 0.25 acute (1,2)
    Toluene 17.5 acute (2)
    Pentachlorophenol 0.055 acute (2)
    Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 0.000014 (2,3)



  2. The following limits are applicable for human consumption of contaminated water.
    These limits can also be consulted when investigating contaminant levels in fish or shellfish tissues that are destined for human consumption.
    Organic Maximum
    Concentration
    (mg/l)     		Reference
    2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) 0.000013 (3)
    Benzene 0.0066 (1,2)
    Carbon tetrachloride 0.004 (1,2)
    Chlorobenzene 0.49 (1,2)
    Vinyl chloride 0.002 (3)
    Pentachlorophenol 0.021 (2)
    Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 0.00000079 (2,3)
    Styrene 0.9 (2)
    Toluene 14.3 (2)



    If you have concentrations greater than these, you have a problem. Click here for more information.

    References:

    (1) Environmental Protection Agency, 1986
    (2) Sittig, 1981
    (3) Kubek and Robillard, 1990



? Information on Organics