Constituents of Emerging Concern (CEC)

The Constituents of Emerging Concern (CEC) Program enhances California’s water resilience by balancing ecosystem needs with reliable local water supplies, reimagining how we monitor and manage contaminants to focus on prevention and proactive protection. By focusing on prevention and source control, this program aims to shift from reactive responses to proactive protection of public health, ecological health, and water quality. Using innovative monitoring tools and data-driven strategies, we address CECs holistically—targeting root causes and considering chemical, biological, and physical factors. When fully implemented, this systematic change in our approach to CECs will reduce contaminants in the environment while prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement to advance water resilience and ensure safer water for all Californians.

This webpage provides information about CECs, ongoing research, statewide data, and collaborative efforts to address these critical challenges.

Highlights & Resources

Water Boards – Informational Item on 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone (December 4, 2024): Overview of the emerging contaminants 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone, their sources, environmental pathways, and toxic impacts on California’s freshwater ecosystems. This informational session will include updates from the Water Boards’ Constituents of Emerging Concern Program, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Safer Consumer Products Program, and Caltrans, focusing on collaborative efforts to address these contaminants, regulatory updates, and monitoring strategies.

Water Boards – PFAS Resources: Comprehensive information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including statewide monitoring efforts, regulatory actions, research updates, and resources for water systems and stakeholders.

Water Boards’ Microplastics in Drinking Water
Information on microplastics in drinking water, including research, testing, and monitoring efforts.
CalRecycle
Plastic Pollution Prevention and SB 54 Implementation: Overview of the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54), including resources and updates on implementation.
Ocean Protection Council (OPC)
Plastics and Microplastics Resources: Comprehensive landing page on plastic pollution, featuring links to key resources like the Statewide Microplastics Strategy.

OPC Report – Microplastics from Cities to Oceans: Report analyzing the flow of microplastics from urban areas to the ocean, identifying sources and solutions.
Statewide Plastics Monitoring Plan & Strategy - San Francisco Estuary Institute’s project, funded by OPC, to develop a statewide plastics monitoring strategy.

SCCWRP Microplastics Tools and Data Repository - Southern California Coastal Water Research Project’s repository of tools, methods, and data for microplastics research and analysis.

DTSC Safer Consumer Products – Motor Vehicle Tires Containing 6PPD
Information on motor vehicle tires containing 6PPD, adopted as a priority product under California’s Safer Consumer Products program.
CalRecycle – Tire Recycling and Market Development
Resources on tire recycling, market development, and the Waste Tire Recycling Management Program, including the five-year plan.
OEHHA – Health Effects of Recycled Waste Tires
Evaluation of the health effects of recycled waste tires used in playground and track products.
USEPA – 6PPD-Quinone
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s page on 6PPD-quinone, including research and its environmental impacts.
ITRC – 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone Guidance
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council’s focus sheet and guidance document on 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone.
SFEI – Microplastics from Tire Particles in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Estuary Institute’s research and fact sheet on microplastics from tire particles in San Francisco Bay.