ABSTRACT
The search for absolute answers to drinking water contamination problems has produced reliance on mathematical models that produce questionable risk assessment data that is taken as gospel by the press, the public, and perhaps by government. Much government toxicology research on carcinogens through the National Cancer Institute and other institutions may be of great significance for occupational exposure, but not all that significant for drinking water programs. The World Health Organization Guidelines for drinking water quality recognize that treatment technology that is feasible in advanced countries may be impractical in developing countries and that rural areas may require different considerations from large metropolitan areas. For purposes of the Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring treatment techniques is the only sane way to deal with the plethora of organics and the substantial number of inorganics. This is especially so when we don't know much about the toxicological effects of most of these contaminants.
