On September 30, EPA published a Federal Register notice to request public comment on the revised perchlorate model that will inform development of a maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for perchlorate. The notice requests comments on the model code for the biologically based dose response (BBDR) models used to estimate perchlorate effects as well as the draft report describing the model.
In a concurrently published Federal Register notice, EPA is also seeking comment to inform the selection of peer reviewers to evaluate the BBDR model and accompanying draft report. In responding to a set of peer review charge questions, selected peer reviewers will consider public comments, hold a public meeting in early 2017 and then work with EPA’s designated contractor to submit a summary report on their evaluation to EPA.
The current comment requests and associated peer review focus on the “scientific and technical merit” of the models and draft report. A separate review and comment period will be initiated on the applicability of the model for deriving a perchlorate MCLG and will be announced in a separate Federal Register notice in the near future.