[An investigation of the maximum allowable concentration of sulfolane in surface water].

The authors investigated different sulfolane concentrations in surface water and also performed the field study. The results showed that the practical threshold value of sulfolane affecting the organoleptic property (order) of water amounted to 10.6 mg/L. The sulfolane concentration did not inhibit the process of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The chronic threshold and no-effect doses for sulfolane are 2.5 and 0.25 mg/kg bw bodyweight, respectively. There is no mutagenic effect and no teratogenic effect at 280mg/kg. Based on these results, the authors recommended a maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of 5 mg/L in drinking water for humans. Combined with the field study result, the authors considered the MAC also safe for humans.