Chemical hazards in drinking-water - cylindrospermopsin
Rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
Cylindrospermopsin is included in the plan of work of the rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
Background
Cylindrospermopsin is a toxin produced by cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, that has severe effects on the liver and other organs. The Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Final Task Force meeting (Geneva, 2003) recommended that a background document on cylindrospermopsin be prepared. Toxicity data for cylindrospermopsin are now available, but their adequacy for the preparation of a background document is questionable.
Expected end-product(s)
Background document for publication in fourth edition
Progress to date
The Expert Consultation for addenda to the third edition of the Guidelines (Geneva, 2005) agreed that cylindrospermopsin meets the criteria for deciding whether to review a chemical according to the Policies and Procedures Manual. WHO/PCS was asked to evaluate the available literature on cylindrospermopsin and to report back to Working Group members as to whether data are sufficient to perform a toxicological assessment.