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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2016
ERC
APPROVES FLORIDA-SPECIFIC
HUMAN HEALTH CRITERIA
~After years of development, moving forward with rules is
critical for protection of Floridians~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the
Environmental Regulation Commission approved rules for health-based water-quality
standards to ensure Floridians can continue to safely eat Florida’s
seafood, swim in and drink potable water from state surface waters.
After working with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) since 2012 to develop Florida-specific human health
criteria that are based on the best science available, guidance from EPA,
support of a scientific peer review panel and input from the public, DEP
presented these criteria improvements to the Florida ERC for approval.
“I
thank the Environmental Regulation Commission for
its approval of Florida’s human health criteria rules, which will increase
protection of Florida’s water quality and the health of our state’s
families and visitors,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “These approved
standards, which are consistent with EPA’s recommendations, set stringent and
protective criteria for 39 chemicals that currently have no limits, and also
update 43 chemicals whose criteria are more than 20 years old.”
The
criteria are consistent with the level of protection contained in EPA's recommendations and consider a range of environmental variables, accounting
for the most at-risk populations, including children, pregnant women and
those whose diets comprise primarily of seafood.
DEP’s and EPA’s nationally recognized scientists have worked
diligently to develop the criteria, which incorporate both the EPA guidance
and data specific to Florida. The criteria take into account how, and how
much, Floridians eat seafood, drink, shower and swim, and set the limits
necessary to protect us all from adverse health effects. Each and every criterion protects Floridians, according
to both the EPA and the World Health Organization.
As part of the current rulemaking effort, scientists at
EPA, Florida Department of Health, four Florida universities and the
California Environmental Protection Agency all reviewed and supported the
criteria development method. DEP has also conducted 11 public workshops
statewide since 2012, and regularly communicated with more than 1,000
individuals, organizations and stakeholder groups to provide updates and
solicit feedback.
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