The Health Advisory (HA) Program, sponsored by the Office of Water (OW), provides information on the health effects, analytical methodology and treatment technology that are useful in dealing with the contamination of drinking water. Health Advisories describe non-regulatory concentrations of drinking water contaminants at which adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur over specific exposure durations. Health Advisories contain a margin of safety to protect sensitive members of the population. Health Advisories serve as informal technical guidance to assist Federal, State and local officials responsible for protecting public health when emergency spills or contamination situations occur. They are not to be construed as legally enforceable Federal standards. The HAs are subject to change as new information becomes available. HAs usually are based on adverse health effects but HA documents may also provide information on the organoleptic or aesthetic properties (color, taste, odor) of contaminants in drinking water.

Title from title screen (viewed Oct 6, 2008). "January 2008." "822-R-08-010." Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction -- General information and properties -- Physical and chemical properties -- Uses -- Nutritional properties -- Occurrence and exposure -- Air -- Food -- Water -- Soil -- Other sources -- Health effects data -- Human studies -- Animal studies -- Proposed mode of action -- Quantification of toxicological effects -- One-day health advisory for children -- Ten-day health advisory for children -- Longer-term health advisory -- Lifetime health advisory -- Evaluation of carcinogenic potential -- Other criteria, guidance, and standards -- Analytical methods -- Treatment technologies.