The report gives results of a study of the derivation of Multimedia Environmental Goals (MEG's). MEG's are levels of significant contaminants or degradents (in ambient air, water, or land, or in emissions or effluents conveyed to the ambient media) that are judged to be: appropriate for preventing certain negative effects in the surrounding populations or ecosystems; or representative of the control limits achievable through technology. In the context of deriving MEG's, Volume I: offers perspective on the broad range of contaminants whose control is vital to both industry and the public; further develops and defines indicators designating contaminants which must be given priority consideration for immediate control and for subsequent research; brings existing and emerging data together for use in environmental assessment; and explores some basic methodologies which provide the present MEG's, and which also suggest directions for refined methodologies. MEG's are projected for more than 650 pollutants: of these, 216 receive full attention in Volume II. (Portions of this document are not fully legible)

"Contract 68-02-2612, W.A. 10, program element no. EHE623A." "EPA Task Officer: T. Kelly Janes." "Prepared for Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development." "Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Office of Energy, Minerals, and Industry." Includes Memorandum. Includes bibliographical references. Contract Number: 68-02-2612

Volume I -- Volume II MEG charts and background information.