WASHINGTON MAEL

Washington MAEL represent Sediment Impact Zone Maximum Level (WAC 173-204-420) and Sediment Cleanup Screening Level/Minimum Cleanup Level (WAC 173-204-520) values. These are used as an upper regulatory level for source control and cleanup decision making. They are “minor adverse effects” level values. Minor adverse effect levels are concentrations that result in an acute or chronic adverse effect to biological resources relative to reference in no more than one appropriate biological test [WAC 173_204_200(3)], result in a significant response relative to reference [WAC 173_204_200(3)], and do not result in significant human health risk. The listed criteria for organics other than phenol, 2-methyl phenol, 4-methyl phenol, 2,4-dimethyl phenol, benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid represent concentrations "normalized" on a total organic carbon basis. To normalize to total organic carbon, the dry weight concentration is divided by the decimal fraction representing the percent total organic carbon content of the sediment. The value for Low Molecular Weight PAHs (LPAH) applies to the sum of concentrations of Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, and Anthracene. The value for High Molecular Weight PAH’s (HPAH) applies to the sum of Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benz(a)anthracene, Chrysene, total Benzofluoranthenes, Benzo(a)pyrene, Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, and Benzo(g,h,i)perylene. Total Benzofluoranthenes represents the sum of the b, j, and k isomers.

Washington Department of Ecology, Sediment Management Unit, Sediment Quality Chemical Criteria, updated 8/9/2001 – http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/smu/sed_chem.htm