Step 1.5 Using Comparison Values
Introduction
Comparison values are doses (termed health guidelines) or substance concentrations (termed environmental guidelines) set well below levels that are known or anticipated to result in adverse health effects. Comparison values are derived from scientific studies and modified by safety factors to be more protective of human health.
ATSDR’s comparison values are developed for a specific chemical in each of three environmental media: air, soil, and drinking water. If a chemical is found at a level above the comparison value and people can contact the chemical, the health assessor selects the chemical for further evaluation. Also, if a chemical is found that people can contact, but there is no comparison value for that chemical, it is selected for further evaluation. Chemicals found at levels below comparison values are not selected.
Click on the headings below to see what comparison values are and are not.
Doses of concentrations set well below levels known to result in adverse health affects
Media-specific concentrations of chemicals considered safe for human contact
Used to select chemicals for further evaluation
Conservative values, with safety factors added to protect human health
Suitable for use at any site
Clean-up levels
Indications that exposure above the values will be harmful
Intended to be used in evaluating or predicting health effects from exposure