EPA proposes to withdraw the pending arsenic standard for drinking water that was issued on January 22.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman announced on March 20 that EPA will
propose to withdraw the pending arsenic standard for drinking water that was issued on January 22. The
rule would have reduced the acceptable level of arsenic in water from 50 parts per billion to 10 ppb.
EPA will seek independent reviews of both the science behind the standard and of the estimates of the costs
to communities of implementing the rule. A final decision on withdrawal is expected after the public has an
opportunity to comment.