Washington NEL Sediment Quality Standards (WAC 172-204-320) are used as a sediment quality goal for Washington state sediments. These are "no effects" level values. No effects means a concentration that does not result in acute or chronic adverse effects to biological resources relative to reference [WAC 173_204_200(3)] and does not result in significant human health risk. Washington lists criteria for organics other than phenol, 2-methyl phenol, 4-methyl phenol, 2,4-dimethyl phenol, benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid on a total organic carbon basis. The values included in SADA have been converted to mg/kg sediment assuming 1% organic carbon (criteria from Washington table were multiplied by 0.01). 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