maksimikontaminaatioarvoja

maksimikontaminaatioarvoja, literally “maximum contamination values”, are numerical limits established for the concentration of potentially harmful substances in environmental media or consumer products. They are used primarily by environmental protection agencies, food safety regulators, and industrial safety authorities to evaluate compliance with public health and environmental protection standards.

In many countries, maximum contamination values are set for a wide array of contaminants, including heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic in soil, water and foodstuffs, as well as for pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The values are derived from toxicological data, exposure assessments, and risk-benefit analyses, and they are updated periodically as new scientific findings emerge. For example, the European Union's REACH regulation specifies concentration thresholds in air and water that must not be surpassed by industrial releases, while the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regulations set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for drinking water supplies.

Application of maksimikontaminaatioarvoja spans environmental monitoring, remediation planning, product certification, and legal enforcement. Agencies conduct systematic sampling and laboratory analyses to detect whether measured concentrations meet the stipulated limits. Non-compliance can lead to regulatory actions such as fines, mandatory cleanup, or product recalls. In public communications, these thresholds are often referenced to explain why certain areas are labeled as contaminated or why specific food items must undergo strict testing before reaching the market.