EPA is initiating a peer review of draft scientific modeling approaches to inform EPA’s evaluation of potential health-based benchmarks for lead in drinking water. The agency is seeking nominations of peer reviewers, providing draft charge questions and including a report related to draft scientific modeling approaches. The focus of the peer review will be on gathering expert scientific input on the use of draft modeling approaches for developing health-based benchmarks for lead in drinking water. The report will discuss modeling approaches, propose input parameters, and review various exposure scenarios for the peer reviewers to consider.
Model values presented in the draft report are included to better illustrate the draft approaches for the peer reviewers. EPA will not be asking the peer reviewers to select a specific value or to provide input on the specific role for a health-based value in proposed revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). EPA will consider the specific role for a health-based value in the proposed revisions to the LCR after the peer review of the modeling effort has been completed. EPA expects to propose revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule in 2017.
Federal Register Notices and Documents
October 27, 2017 - EPA releases, "Summary Report of the Peer Review Meeting for EPA's Draft Report, Proposed Modeling Approaches for Health-Based Benchmark for Lead in Drinking Water". Read the report below or review a copy in the docket EPA-OW-2016-0686.
May 25, 2017 - EPA is announcing the peer reviewers and providing meeting logistics. The public peer review meeting will be held on June 27 and 28, 2017 in Washington DC. The registration deadline to attend the meeting in-person or via teleconference, and to request to make a brief oral statement at the meeting, is June 22, 2017. Read the Federal Register Notice.
March 17, 2017 - EPA is announcing the nominated peer reviewers and requesting public comment on the nominations. Comments on this notice must be received on or before 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Read the Federal Register Notice
March 6, 2017 - EPA is extending the deadline for written comments on the draft lead modeling report and draft peer review panel charge questions for an additional 30 days, from March 6, 2017, to April 5, 2017. This notice does not extend the public comment period for nominations of peer review candidates. The deadline for nominating peer review candidates remains at February 21, 2017. Read the Federal Register Notice.
January 19, 2017 - Request for Nominations for Peer Reviewers and for Public Comment on Peer Review Materials To Inform the Derivation of a Water Concentration Value for Lead in Drinking Water. Read the Federal Register Notice
You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.- Summary Report of the Peer Review Meeting for EPA's Draft Report, Proposed Modeling Approaches for Health-Based Benchmark for Lead in Drinking Water (PDF)(290 pp, 6 MB, October 25, 2017)
- Draft Charge Questions: Lead in Drinking Water Modeling External Peer Review (PDF)(3 pp, 179 K)
- Report: Proposed Modeling Approaches for a Health Based Benchmark for Lead in Drinking Water (PDF)(82 pp, 2 MB)