MLchartDataset catalogue

Maximum contaminant level goal

Term · Environment · MLC-T-ENV-016721

  1. 1. The maximum level of a contaminant that is associated with no adverse health effects from drinking water containing that contaminant over a lifetime. For chemicals believed to cause cancer, the MCLGs are set at zero. MCLGs are not enforceable, but are ideal, health-based goals which are set in the National Primary Drinking Water Standards developed by EPA. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as possible, considering costs and technology.

    2. The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MCLGs are non-enforceable health goals.

    3. The level of a contaminant at which there would be no risk to human health. This goal is not always economically or technologically feasible, and the goal is not legally enforceable.

    4. The maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are non-enforceable health goals.

    5. The MCLG is used by the Agency to regulate contaminants in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

    6. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, a non-enforceable concentration of a drinking water contaminant, set at the level at which no known or anticipated adverse effects on human health occur and which allows an adequate safety margin. The MCLG is usually the starting point for determining the regulated Maximum Contaminant Level.

    7. Under section 1412 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, a nonenforceable concentration for a substance in drinking water that is protective of adverse human health effects and allows an adequate margin of safety.

    8. Maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are nonenforceable health goals.

    9. Level of a contaminant at which there would be no risk to human health. This goal is not always economically or technologically feasible, and the goal is not legally enforceable.

  2. (regulatory) The maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are nonenforceable health goals. {OW/TSC}

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-ENV-016721
FieldEnvironment
SubjectRegulatory activities; Policy and guidance
AbbreviationMCLG
ReferencesEnvironmental Issues Terms & Acronyms; Pesticides Glossary; Safe Drinking Water Act Glossary; Drinking Water Glossary; Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms; Pesticides Reregistration Glossary; Terms of Environment; 40 CFR Appendix A to Part 300 (CFR 2013); 40 CFR 141.2 (CFR 2018); Drinking Water Glossary 2009; 40 CFR Part 141.2
Record as JSON 
{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-016721",
  "term": "Maximum contaminant level goal",
  "field": "Environment",
  "term_source": "Maximum Contaminant Level Goal",
  "definitions": [
    "1. The maximum level of a contaminant that is associated with no adverse health effects from drinking water containing that contaminant over a lifetime. For chemicals believed to cause cancer, the MCLGs are set at zero. MCLGs are not enforceable, but are ideal, health-based goals which are set in the National Primary Drinking Water Standards developed by EPA. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as possible, considering costs and technology.\n\n2. The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MCLGs are non-enforceable health goals.\n\n3. The level of a contaminant at which there would be no risk to human health. This goal is not always economically or technologically feasible, and the goal is not legally enforceable.\n\n4. The maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are non-enforceable health goals.\n\n5. The MCLG is used by the Agency to regulate contaminants in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act.\n\n6. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, a non-enforceable concentration of a drinking water contaminant, set at the level at which no known or anticipated adverse effects on human health occur and which allows an adequate safety margin. The MCLG is usually the starting point for determining the regulated Maximum Contaminant Level.\n\n7. Under section 1412 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, a nonenforceable concentration for a substance in drinking water that is protective of adverse human health effects and allows an adequate margin of safety.\n\n8. Maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are nonenforceable health goals.\n\n9. Level of a contaminant at which there would be no risk to human health. This goal is not always economically or technologically feasible, and the goal is not legally enforceable.",
    "(regulatory) The maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are nonenforceable health goals. {OW/TSC}"
  ],
  "abbreviation": "MCLG",
  "subject": [
    "Regulatory activities",
    "Policy and guidance"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Environmental Issues Terms & Acronyms; Pesticides Glossary",
    "Safe Drinking Water Act Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms",
    "Pesticides Reregistration Glossary",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "40 CFR Appendix A to Part 300 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 141.2 (CFR 2018)",
    "Drinking Water Glossary 2009",
    "40 CFR Part 141.2"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/maximum-contaminant-level-goal/"
}

Record 16,283 of 29,894 in Environment terminology (MLC-0121). Request the full dataset.