Water: Diazinon
Science & TechnologySurface Water Standards & GuidanceWater Quality StandardsWater Quality CriteriaAquatic LifePollutantsDiazinonAquatic Life Criteria for DiazinonAquatic Life Criteria for Diazinon
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Draft Criteria
Fact Sheet; December 2003
EPA has released and requested scientific views on a draft ambient water quality criteria document for diazinon. We developed draft acute and chronic criteria recommendations for diazinon designed to protect aquatic life in both freshwater and saltwater.
- Background
- What are the draft diazinon criteria concentrations?
- Freshwater
- Saltwater
- How do I get a copy of the new draft diazinon document?
Background
Diazinon is an organophosphorus pesticide used throughout the U.S. to control insects in agricultural areas, households and urban settings. It is mobile and moderately persistent in the environment. Due to its chemical properties, widespread use and application, diazinon is frequently found in point sources (wastewater treatment plant effluent) and non-point sources (storm water runoff) in urban and agricultural areas. Diazinon is known to be extremely toxic to birds and aquatic life, particularly invertebrates.
On October 29, 1999, the Agency announced our intent to develop a diazinon criteria document in a Federal Register notice (64 FR 58410). EPA then developed a draft document which was revised to reflect peer reviewers' comments received in 2001. The draft criteria document is now available for public scientific input.
The draft ambient water quality criteria document for diazinon contains ambient water quality criteria designed to protect aquatic organisms and their uses. Once final, these criteria will become guidance for states and tribes and, in themselves, have no binding legal effect. However, they may form the basis for state water quality standards and become enforceable through NPDES permits or other environmental programs. These new draft diazinon criteria are published pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act.
What are the draft diazinon criteria concentrations?
Freshwater Aquatic Life
Except possibly where a locally important species is very sensitive, freshwater aquatic life and their uses should not be affected unacceptably if the one-hour average concentration of diazinon does not exceed 0.10 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (acute criterion) and if the four-day average concentration of diazinon does not exceed 0.10 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (chronic criterion).
Saltwater Aquatic Life
Except possibly where a locally important species is very sensitive, saltwater aquatic life and their uses should not be affected unacceptably if the one-hour average concentration of diazinon does not exceed 0.82 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (acute criterion) and if the four-day average concentration of diazinon does not exceed 0.40 µg/L more than once every three years on the average (chronic criterion).
How do I get a copy of the new draft diazinon document?
You can get copies of the "Draft Ambient Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Diazinon" (EPA-822-R-03-017) from EPA's Water Resource Center by calling (202) 566-1729. You can request a copy by sending an e-mail to center.water-resource@epa.gov or by conventional mail to: EPA Water Resource Center, 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460.
DRAFT Criteria Document (PDF) (89 pp., 957 K)