USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5091  - Reconnaissance of Land-Use Sources of Pesticides in Drinking Water, McKenzie River Basin, Oregon 

Table 3. Guidelines for interpretation of Benchmark Quotients. 

[Abbreviations: ≥, equal to or greater than; ≤, equal to or less than; ˃, greater than] 

Benchmark quotient, in water	Interpretation
≥ 0.1	Compound indicates a need for additional monitoring to provide early indication of concentration approaching benchmark concentration, but does not necessarily indicate adverse human health effects.
≤ 1	Adverse human health effects are unlikely to be caused by this compound alone, even in water ingested over a lifetime.
˃ 1	A potential human-health concern in water ingested without treatment over a lifetime; potential adverse effects may be reduced by treatment.