On March 6, EPA issued a news release announcing new health advisory values for the algal toxins microcystin and cylindrospermopsin. The recommendations include separate values for young children and for school age children and adults based on a 10-day exposure period. The advisory levels for microcystin are 0.3 and 1.6 micrograms per liter for young children and school age children and adults, respectively. For cylindrospermopsin the corresponding values are 0.7 and 3.0 micrograms per liter.
The advisory levels come just prior to EPA’s scheduled public meeting and webinar (Federal Register notice) to gather information on “Potential Actions To Prepare for and Respond to Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water.” Based on feedback received at that meeting and in the weeks that follow, EPA will be working to finalize the health advisory levels as well as supporting guidance and technical documents prior to the peak summer algal bloom season.