Perchlorate

Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and manmade contaminant increasingly found in groundwater, surface water and soil. Most perchlorate manufactured in the U.S. is used as an ingredient in solid fuel for rockets and missiles. In addition, perchlorate-based chemicals are also used in the construction of highway safety flares, fireworks, pyrotechnics, explosives, common batteries, and automobile restraint systems. Perchlorate contamination has been reported in at least 20 states. Perchlorate greatly impacts human health by interfering with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. In adults, the thyroid gland helps regulate the metabolism by releasing hormones, while in children, the thyroid helps in proper development. Perchlorate is becoming a serious threat to human health and water resources.

In addition to overseeing the cleanup of sites contaminated with perchlorate, AB 826, the Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act of 2003, required DTSC to adopt regulations specifying best management practices for perchlorate and perchlorate-containing substances. The Perchlorate Best Management Practices were adopted on December 31, 2005 and became operative on July 1, 2006.

• Perchlorate Containing Material One-Time Notification
  By September 1, 2007, businesses that manage more than 500 lbs or 55 gallons of Perchlorate Containing Materials at their site must submit the notification. To complete the form online click below.
  • Perchlorate Containing Material Online Notification
  • One-Time Notification Instructions & Papercopy

If you are in the Department of Defense or you are in an industry centered on aerospace, fireworks, pyrotechnics, amusement parks, automobile air bag and safety restraint, lithium perchlorate batteries, or if you are in a public safety agency, the Perchlorate BMPs may apply to you. Others that may be affected by these regulations include farmers who use perchlorate-containing fertilizer, laboratories, bleach manufacturers and users, and Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). Even households may be affected. For more information, please contact Ed Nieto at (916) 322-7893.

• Fact Sheet: Perchlorate Materials - Special Handling May Apply
• Regulations
• Regulatory Background
• Past Workshops
• One-Time Notification for Perchlorate Materials Instructions

• Regional Water Quality Control Board Contacts
• Perchlorate Testing Guidance
• List of Perchlorate Materials
• Training Materials

Cal/EPA and the Department of Defense (DoD) have finalized a procedure for prioritizing DoD facilities statewide that are contaminated with perchlorate. The protocol is designed to provide consistency between DoD and state officials on selecting sites that require perchlorate sampling. This agreement is the first of its kind in the country.

• Letter from Terry Tamminen to Alex Beehler
• Memorandum from Terry Tamminen to DTSC and Water
• Memorandum from Alex Beehler
• Elaboration on the Prioritization Protocol for Perchlorate Impacts
• Action Plan for Follow-Up Activity

General

• Cal/EPA Fact Sheet on Perchlorate Contaminants 
• U.S. EPA Perchlorate Information 

Remediation

• Cleaning Up Perchlorate 
• Perchlorate Contamination Treatment Alternatives

 Contaminated Sites

• U.S. EPA: National Occurrence Maps

 Health  

• Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment:  Public Health Goal for Perchlorate
• Perchlorate in Drinking Water
• Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment: Final Technical Support document for the Public Health Goal for Perchlorate in Drinking Water, 2004
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: ToxFAQs – Frequency Asked Questions about Perchlorate

 Analytical Methods

• U.S. EPA: Safewater Technical Support Center 
• U.S. EPA: Perchlorate Analytical Methods Update - May 5, 2003  

• Sites with Confirmed Perchlorate Contamination in California 
• Environment California Research and Policy Center
• Groundwater Resources Association
• Water Districts in California